The Ministry of Home Affairs held a law and order meeting on December 15 at the Secretariat to ensure security during the Christmas celebrations on December 25 and New Year’s Eve on December 31. The meeting was chaired by Retired Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Advisor to the Ministry, and focused on safeguarding churches, public gatherings, and ensuring coordination among various agencies to maintain peace.
An eight-member delegation from the Bangladesh Christian Association, led by its President, Nirmol Rozario, attended the meeting. Father Albert T. Rozario, parish priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral Church in Dhaka, expressed serious concerns, stating: “Two major churches and a Catholic school were attacked with cocktail bombs in recent months. Threats have also been issued to the Archbishop’s House, Holy Cross, and Notre Dame College. We urgently request additional security during Christmas.”
Rozario, who is also President of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, highlighted Tejgaon parish as a sensitive area, noting that it is home to more than 10,000 Christians and several church-run institutions. “We need extra security in this zone,” he said.
Hemanta Corraya, Secretary General of the Association, urged the Highway Police to ensure the safety of Christians traveling to their villages for Christmas. Theophil Rozario, International Affairs Secretary, warned of possible unrest linked to the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12.
Responding to these concerns, Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury assured the Christian leaders: “We will provide extra security so that Christians can celebrate their biggest festival peacefully. Law enforcement officers in both uniform and plain clothes will be deployed at every church.” He also recommended the installation of archways and CCTV cameras, promising government support wherever necessary.
The meeting concluded with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony to mark the upcoming Christmas. Both government officials and Christian leaders expressed hope that Christmas 2025 will be celebrated with joy, safety, and harmony across Bangladesh.
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