Field Administration Instructed to Follow Only Police Headquarters’ Orders, Not External Directives

Khabor Wala Desk

Published: 4th September 2025, 7:32 AM

Field Administration Instructed to Follow Only Police Headquarters’ Orders, Not External Directives

In a decisive move to ensure law and order, the Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed both the police and the field administration to refrain from following advice from any external sources. Instead, they have been directed to strictly adhere only to the orders of the Home Ministry and Police Headquarters.

Additionally, enhanced surveillance has been ordered against individuals or groups suspected of attempting to disrupt the election environment. The directive was issued on Wednesday during a virtual meeting convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs with field-level administrative officials.

The meeting also discussed measures to strengthen security during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.

Participants in the Virtual Meeting

Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all districts
Superintendents of Police (SPs)
Divisional Commissioners
Range Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs)
Other senior officials

The session, presided over by Senior Secretary Nasimul Ghani, primarily focused on the upcoming national elections, the overall law and order situation, and the security arrangements for Durga Puja

Key Directives Issued

Area of Focus	Directives Given
Election Security	Ensure full security of polling centres; take pre-emptive measures in vulnerable centres.
Polling Centre Management	Separate entry and exit arrangements to maintain order.
Durga Puja Security	Maintain maximum vigilance; inform authorities in advance if any Puja committee member is controversial.
Field Inspection	Begin immediate inspection of polling centres; resolve any existing issues early.
Handling Land Disputes	Avoid resolving land-related disputes during Puja period to prevent tensions.
Police Allowances	Request raised for special allowances for police during Puja duty.
Committee Overlaps	Prevent multiple committees for one Puja venue to avoid fund allocation conflicts.
Border Surveillance	Increase monitoring in border areas to prevent extremist or sabotage activities.

Concerns Raised by Officials

A DIG noted that during Puja many people return home and often seek to settle old land disputes through the administration. He warned that addressing such issues during the festive period could lead to untoward incidents, diverting focus and creating instability.
An SP requested allowances for police officers engaged in Puja duties.
Several DCs from Rangpur and Dhaka divisions expressed concern over the existence of multiple committees managing a single Puja mandap, which creates allocation complications and law-and-order risks. They urged stricter oversight from the Home Ministry.
Brahmanbaria DC Mohammad Didarul Alam confirmed that both Durga Puja and the national election were discussed, with special emphasis on preparations for maintaining law and order during late September and early October.

The Home Ministry stressed the government’s commitment to holding the national parliamentary election in early February. Officials were told to begin preliminary preparations immediately to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polls.

A Dhaka Range SP clarified that: “We were directed to strictly follow instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Inspector General of Police. There is no scope to act on others’ directives. External instructions may send the wrong message. Another meeting will be held soon before the elections, but we have already been given a preliminary outline of what to prepare.”