Police will operate under EC during polls

Bangladesh Police will follow the directives of the Election Commission (EC) during the next national polls to be held next year.
Outgoing Director General (DG) of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who will take responsibility as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) from next month, said this during a press briefing at the RAB media centre in the capital's Karwan Bazar on Wednesday.
"Police usually operate under the election commission's directives during the elections. The force will stick to this old practice," he said.
The next police chief expressed hope that the law and order situation would improve in the days to come.
Asked whether RAB has stopped the crossfire after the sanctions by the US, Mr Mamun said, "We (RAB) usually take actions as per the country's law when we come under attack by the anti-social elements like human traffickers and drug traders."
RAB always follows its entitled powers and jurisdiction and never crosses the line, he said.
The RAB DG further said that following the government's zero tolerance, the law enforcing agencies, including RAB, had been fighting against drugs, drug peddlers and traders.
He called upon the parents to be conscious about their children.
"If we become conscious, it will be possible for us to get a society free from drugs," he said.
Mr Mamun said a total of 36,000 drug traders were arrested, drugs worth Tk 23 billion were recovered and shipments of 77,000 bottles of drugs were seized during his tenure as DG of RAB.
Director (Legal and Media wing) of RAB Commander Khandaker Al Moin was also present in the press briefing.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com