FE REPORT
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has said that police don't have any 'magical solution' to reduce crimes overnight.
He, however, said that measures are being taken to address the issue of controlling crimes.
"Bangladesh Police is passing through a crucial time. Police never faced such situation in the history of Bangladesh. There is a wide gap between pre-August revolution police and post-revolution police. During the mass movement in August, police became government's tools that resulted in their ruin, making them a prey to public wrath," he said while addressing the 41th annual general meeting of the Bangladesh Retired Police Officers' Welfare Association at Rajarbagh Police Lines in the capital on Saturday.
"The chain of command of police has broken down. Police have lost public trust. We are trying to reorganise police with vigour and sincerity aiming to regain public trust. Now there are challenges to address and make police acceptable to the public. We have taken measures so that police can never take stance against the people," he said.
Responding to a query regarding the rising incidents of theft, mugging, and murders in the capital and also across the country, he said, "You can see the measures we are taking to reduce these crimes." He said that instructions have been given to the police superintendents across the country including Dhaka.
"You know the situation and where we are coming from to carry out our work, he said.
He also said, "Efforts are being made to revitalise the police force, rebuild public trust, and boost morale."
"We (police) want to get closer to the people. We ask for more cooperation and acceptance from the public," he added.
"We (police) are also seeking help from representatives of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, so they could bring us closer to the community. I believe that without this, the police cannot fight crime alone, but we are trying," he continued.
The police chief also mentioned that arrangements are being made for promotion of police officers whose service tenure is about to end in 10 to 12 days.
"I myself retired earlier but have returned to duty. How much I can accomplish, I do not know, but I will try. I seek your support and advice, so that I can leave with respect when the time comes," he stated.
About the threats to student coordinators in various districts, he said, "We have analysed each incident and resolved them. The incident in Kaliakair was a snatching case, and in Narayanganj, it was a mobile phone snatching. We have taken the student coordinators to Narayanganj, where they met the victim's family, and they are satisfied. This was not a target killing."
He also mentioned two other threatening incidents, one in Mymensingh involving a school student.
"We arrested him, a tenth-grade student, and returned him to his parents' custody." The IGP confirmed that a student named Meher from BRAC University had been threatened, and the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police arrested Zahid Hasan from Sirajganj in connection with the incident.
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