Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. File Photo

GAZIPUR, June 12, 2025 (BSS) - Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said that Tarique Rahman can return to the country whenever he desires as there is no barrier on his return.

"He is a citizen of Bangladesh. He can return whenever he desires," said the adviser while replying to a query on Tarique Rahman's return to the country during his visit to Salna Highway Police Station here.

The adviser reached Salna area at about 11am and distributed masks among the journalists and later inspected the highway police station. After the visit, he told the journalists, "Please, make complete report about what I say.

 Partial reports are often led to misinterpretation. Neighbouring countries sometimes circulate false reports for their own interests based on such incomplete information." 

Addressing the public health issues, the adviser said public awareness is needed regarding the use of polythene. He also urged the people including journalists not to use polythene and create awareness for avoiding the use of it.
 
Replying to another question he said, "Masks must be used properly, not just kept in pockets. We must stay alert, even though we are not currently facing serious Covid-related problems."

When asked about the risk of Covid-19 transmission from those being pushed in, he said, "Tests are being conducted for everyone. Measures have been taken to strengthen awareness and health screening at airports and land ports also."

On the issue of push-ins by Indian authorities, despite Bangladesh's objections, the adviser said the matter has already been addressed by the foreign affairs adviser and formal letters have also been issued.

"If any Bangladeshi nationals are staying in their country, of course we will take them back, but they must return through proper channels," he said, adding that the Indian authorities forcibly pushed the people into Bangladesh territory through jungles and remote roads violating human rights.

 The issue has already been informed to the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh to take necessary steps in this regard, said Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.  
     
The adviser later visited the Gazipur Battalion Headquarters of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at Rajendrapur area where he was briefed about different activities of the BGB and planted a tree there. He also visited a project of the agriculture department at the area.

Among others, Additional Inspector General of Highway Police Shafiqul Islam, Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) Commissioner Dr Nazmul Karim Khan,

 Additional Police Commissioner of GMP Taherul Haque Chawhan, Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Nafisa Arefin and Police Super Dr Chowdhury Md Zaber Sadek, were accompanied with the adviser.