The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Tuesday asked the members of police force to make sure that service-seeking people are not meted out disservice through harassment, misbehavior or sufferings anyway at police stations and installations.

Intense monitoring and supervision over operation in all spheres-be it at a police station, police box or outpost and investigation centre-will have to be ensured, he said in his directive. The head of the caretaker government made the call formally inaugurating the Police Week 2008 at Rajarbagh Police Lines parade ground in the capital.

"The main motto of all your activities will be to provide desired service to the people and attain people's confidence through this," Dr Fakhruddin told the rank and file of the police attending the function.

He said that as one of the major law-enforcing agencies of the country, the police would have to ensure honesty, efficiency, neutrality, transparency and accountability in every level of discharging their duties.

The head of the caretaker government suggested the police force to arm its members with latest capabilities for preventing cyber crime, money laundering and other contemporary crimes of the modern times. "Instead of traditional system application of modern know-how and technology will have to increase in investigation of crime," he said, as newer dimensions in the criminal underworld are getting unveiled nowadays.

The chief executive of the country in the interim period, whose military-supported government is carrying out a massive purge-suggested the police to get tougher in curbing militancy and extremism and various crimes in socioeconomic arena. Terming the role of police very important in establishing the rule of law, the CA said in the context of present reality the cops would have to be turned into a service- oriented institution in the light of human rights and democratic values.

He regretted that 36 years have elapsed since the country's independence without a truly democratic society based on just and equality having been established.

The objectives, aspirations and dreams for which crores of people joined in the War of Independence have not come true.

So, he told his audience, the present government in its limited tenure is taking various steps to establish fair justice and good governance in society alongside holding a free, fair, neutral and acceptable election.

Earlier, a guard of honour was accorded to the Chief Adviser by a smartly turned-out parade squad drawn from RAB, Armed Police Battalion (APBN), police of Dhaka and Rajshahi Ranges, combined range police, DMP, combined Metropolitan Police, women police, Bangladesh police UN Mission contingent, Railway and Highway police, horse-mounted police and police band party.

Flanked by the IGP, the Chief Adviser on board an open jeep reviewed the parade.

Impressive march past was demonstrated at the parade and the parade gave salute to the Chief Adviser.

The CA took salute from a decorated podium.

He distributed Bangladesh Police Gallantry Padak (Bangladesh Police Medal), Rastrapratir Police Padak (President's Police Medal), Bangladesh Police Padak- Service and Rastrapratir Police Padak-service for the year 2007 among the recipients for their courageous and heroic role in curbing crime and rendering extraordinary services for maintaining law and order.

Thirty officials and personnel of the police and RAB were adjudged for awarding the national laurels.

On his arrival at the venue, the Chief Adviser was received by Inspector General of Police Noor Mohammad and additional IGP Nabo Bikram Kishore Tripura.

Advisers of the caretaker government, three chiefs of the Armed Forces, diplomats, distinguished personalities and senior civil and military officials were present at the function.

The Chief Adviser expressed his gladness knowing that the police administration has taken initiative to formulate strategic work plan in conformity with the rapidly changing socioeconomic structure of Bangladesh.

Police will have to be more sensitive and intimate in providing service to weak and poorer sections of the population, including curbing acid terrorism, preventing domestic (family) crime and decreasing gender disparity, he said.

Not only development of infrastructure, if necessary the police force will have to follow the enforced successful models of different countries for sustainable progress, he observed.

He said police would have to play auxiliary role also in economic development alongside protecting the constitutional rights of the people.

Because, economic growth is hampered if security is not ensured in economic investment and police will have to keep a more enterprising role in this regard.

The Chief Adviser expressed happiness following the recent introduction of Model Thana, Legal Service delivery' and 'Open House Day System' in all cities in the country, including the capital, Dhaka.

He said laudable changes are being brought in service-delivery activities coming out from traditional system of hundreds years and service-seekers are now getting improved services than before. And he asked the police personnel to intensify the trend of improving standard of service. Informing the police members that the government is aware about their profession-related problems and constraints, he assured that the government would take effective steps gradually in resolving their problems.

In this regard, he mentioned some steps, including allocation of funds for providing allowance at the rate of 30 percent of salary to all members working in traffic division. Besides, providing 25 percent risk allowance of basic salary to all police members and increasing the number of family ration beneficiary members from 60 percent to 80 percent remained under active consideration of the government.

He said this is for the first time decision has been taken to provide Tk 1,000 to Tk 3,000 on the nature of cases for maintaining investigation expenses of cases.

The CA lauded the role of police members in different UN peacekeeping missions, saying that the recent sending of five Formed Police Unit (FPU) in UN Mission "added new heights to the success of Bangladesh police".