The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Seven hundred and sixty-two members of the law enforcing agencies were given severe punishment in 10 months from January 11 to October 31 this year for their involvement in serious offences, including crime and corruption.

In addition to that 8,715 police personnel were given light punishment, pushing the total number of policemen disciplined to nearly 10,000.

One hundred fifty-four of those given stern punishment lost their jobs. Of them 98 were dismissed from service, while 56 others forced into retirement. Nine police officers were made officers on special duty (OSD) and 64 suspended from service.

The Government took the punitive action as part of its drive to clean the force from crime and corruption.

A top official of the Chief Adviser's Office disclosed this on Sunday quoting a report of Home Ministry after the weekly meeting of Advisory Council. The report was submitted at the meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in the chair at his office. The meeting was attended by most members of the Advisory Council and the Secretaries concerned.

The report said the actions were taken to maintain discipline at the optimum level in the police force, which has 1,27,842 members, including the personnel on deputation to the Rapid Action Battalion.

Briefing journalists, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim said the Government had also increased the privileges for the police personnel to ensure maximum discipline in the forces.

The police personnel are now provided with rations. The government is also considering proposals to introduce risk allowance and family pension for them.

He said the Government was examining a draft on modernising the old Police Act. The darft was prepared under a project supported by the United Nations Development Programme.

The Home Ministry report has also suggested formation and operation of specialised police units, including the highway police and the unit for internal supervision.

The country has a total of 592 police stations, 121 investigation centres and 348 police outposts to maintain law and order.

The Government has set up 11 model police stations in various districts with the support of the UN Development Programme. Service delivery centres were set up at 33 police stations to improve the quality of service.