DHAKA, Sept 15, 2013 – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon the members of the police force to earn confidence of the people by remaining professionally responsible and sympathized to the public.
“The members of the police force are an abode of the hopes and aspirations of the people. So you will have to give attention to earn the trust and confidence of the people,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the members of the police force will have to ensure strict enforcement of law to contain the evil force that is against the development of the country.
She also reminded the police that the periled people do not become the victims of harassment, misbehaviour and sufferings by the police.
“You will have to ensure that the periled people who go to the police stations, investigation centres, outposts, police boxes and other offices of the police for remedy do not become the victims of harassment, misbehaviour and sufferings,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the National Crime Control and Operations Monitoring (NCCOM)Centre in the Police Headquarters here this morning.
She expressed the hope that every member of Bangladesh Police would come forward to serve the country and the people being imbued with the mantra of dedication and service.
“It is my hope that you would work for public security and law and order without any fear and obstacle and maintaining professionalism,” she said.
Home Minister Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Prime Minister’s Public Administration Affairs Adviser HT Imam, State Minister for Home Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, Home Secretary CQK Mushtaq Ahmed and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Shiro Sadoshima also spoke on the occasion.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hasan Mahmud Khandakar delivered the welcome address, while Additional Inspector General of Police (admin) AKM Shahidul Haque gave the vote of thanks.
The Prime Minister said the members of Bangladesh Police have an important role in holding the next elections free, fair and neutral manner. “I believe that you would perform that responsibility with integrity and neutrally,” she said.
In this connection, she mentioned that 5,777 elections, including JS by-polls and local government elections, held during the tenure of the present government were free, fair and neutral and no allegations was raised against any of the polls.
She also thanked the members of the police force for their cooperation to hold these elections in a free, fair and neutral
manner by maintaining law and order.
The Prime Minister said the aim of the present government is to turn Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021.
“Its pre conditions are maintaining an environment for investment and ensuring security of the person, property and organization, and this sacred duty of security has been enshrined on the police force,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina underscored the need for application of new technologies and achieving international standard by the force to
identify the criminals and combat crimes.
She said the nature and area of the work of police are increasing due to globalization and they have to work to combat new crimes like international and regional militancy, cyber crime and money- laundering, drug trafficking and its misuse, smuggling and women and child trafficking.
“The police members are using modern technologies, and that’s why we have given the highest priority to better training and application of information technologies,” she said.
The Prime Minister thanked the members of the police force for their patience, tolerance, dedication, integrity, neutrality and professionalism to check violent acts and mayhem of fanatic Jamaat- Shibir and Hefajat.
She said the government has provided financial and other relevant assistances to each family of those police members who embraced martyrdom after becoming the victims of the brutal attack of Jamaat- Shibir.
“The critically-wounded police members were admitted to Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka by bringing them by helicopters under special arrangements. We are also giving other relevant support to them side by side with better treatment,” she said.
Highlighting the government steps for the development of the police force, the Prime Minister said whenever Awami League got the responsibility for running the government, it worked for building a well-disciplined, responsible, accountable and pro- people police force following the footsteps of Bangabandhu.
She said after assuming office, the present government had decided to create 32,000 new posts including 733 cadre posts for the police force. “The work on creation for 28,250 new posts including 500 cadre posts has been completed,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the rank badge of IGP given by Father of the Nation has been reintroduced after 28 years, while the IGP post got the status of senior secretary. “A number of grade-II posts have been upgraded to grade-I posts,” she said.
She said the government has formed Industrial Police Unit, Rangpur Range, Rangpur RRF side by side with two security and protection battalions, 29 police stations and 47 investigation centres.
“The work on formation of the National Police Bureau of Counterterrorism unit to combat terrorist and militant activities
is almost at final stage, while the work on constitution of tourist police, campus police and marine police would complete soon,” she added.
The Prime Minister said the operational capacity of the police would increase and legal service delivery activities could be monitored more smoothly due to construction of NCCOM Building.
“She said expansion of the community policing activities and police command and control system including combating militancy and terrorism will be unhindered which would infuse dynamism into overall activities of the police,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina expressed gratitude and extended sincere thanks to the Japanese government for its cooperation to construct the NCCOM Building.
Later, the Prime Minister addressed a meeting of senior police officials at the Police Headquarters.
Earlier, Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the NCCOM Building by unveiling its plaque. In the first phase, the construction work of seven- storey of the 22-storey building was completed.
Bangladesh Police and the Public Works Department are implementing the Taka 82.47 crore project.
BSS
