The New Nation - Internet Edition

Making railway profitable

AS part of a reform and improvement programme, the government is going to turn the Bangladesh Railway into a public limited company. The government has adopted a $430 million Bangladesh Railway Reform and Improvement Project with financial support from the Asian Development Bank. The reform agenda of the railway includes, among others, modernisation of stations, improvement of services, computerised ticket selling system at some major stations and transparency at all levels of management. This 5-year project is scheduled to be completed within 2012.

Bangladesh Railway is the lone mode of transport of its kind having a 2,835 kilometre long network covering 44 districts of the country. One out of every three passengers travels by train. Railway, profitable in many countries, has turned into a losing concern in Bangladesh. BR reportedly incurred a loss of Tk 150 crore last year. Its operational efficiency has been seriously affected by corruption and mismanagement. Railway is no more considered a fast and comfortable transport mode. But it still has the potential, being the largest single transport network, to improve and get back its past glory by ensuring prompt services.

To keep railway competitive with other modes of transportation its management must offer competitive travel fare and freight charges. The key aim of all reforms and improvements should be to make railway profitable by upgrading its services to satisfactory levels. Railway greatly supports the development process through its massive freight services. At present railways employs 33,000 regular employees. If the railway is corporatised as per the agreement with the ADB a major part of its shares should be retained by the government. Private shareholders would guard against inefficiency of operations while the government’s control on management would help take care of the security aspect.

Ethnic cleansing and Palestinians

PRESIDENT Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine the other day at the OIC summit in Dakar accused Israel of 'ethnic cleansing' in Jerusalem by banning the building of Palestinian homes and cutting the city off from the West Bank. 'Our people in the city are facing an ethnic cleansing campaign through a set of Israeli decisions … heavy taxes, …closing Palestinian institutions in addition to separating the city from the West Bank by the racist separation wall,' Mr Abbas reportedly said adding this was in total violation of the peace process. The future of Jerusalem, which Israel claims as its capital, has not been accepted internationally, is one of the most divisive issues facing peace negotiators.

Peace talks between Mr. Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert faltered late last year after Israel announced plans to build hundreds of new homes in and around East Jerusalem on land it occupied in 1967. Israel says the construction is within areas it intends to keep in any future peace deal with the Palestinians. It defends its construction of the West Bank barriers that the International Court of Justice has termed illegal. An Israeli spokesman has termed the remarks of Mr. Abbas as 'inflammatory' while a US State Department spokesman said the use of the words 'ethnic cleansing' was probably an example of 'overheated political rhetoric'.

OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu told the Islamic summit that Israelis responsible for attacks on Palestinians should be tried for war crimes. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has said Israel must stop using disproportionate and excessive force' against Palestinians. On a subsequent visit to the region, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said the two sides had agreed to resume negotiations, but new Israeli settlement projects in the occupied West Bank have since heightened tensions.

Community Policing: The Bangladesh perspective

Razzak Raza

Since the inception of London Metropolitan Police in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel, the history of policing experienced several new approaches. But, perhaps, "the most important development and the most creative approach is the community policing". Though the concept of community policing began taking roots at 1970's, but it drew the global attention in 1990's when the U,S. Department of Justice (DOJ), established the office of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) in 1994 to render federal assistance for community policing approaches to the states and regional police departments .

Community policing programs take many different forms. Some emphasizes disorder and quality-of-life issues, while other focus on serious crime. Some primarily address drug-related crime. So, it is fairly difficult to define the community policing in a single sentence. The Community Oriented Policing Services defines community policing as "a policing philosophy that promotes and supports organizational strategies to address the causes and reduce the fear of crime and social disorder through problem solving tactics and police community partnership.

In a community policing approach the police need to work closely with the public as one of the partners of the community. This philosophy opposes the "inward-looking bureaucracy" that is traditionally common across the globe. The basic idea behind the community policing is that it tries to establish a rapport of trust and a sort of reliance between the police and the public.

It is the debating issue that who masterminded the idea of community policing. Some believe Tom Porter, the former police chief of Portland, Oregon (USA) developed the philosophy while he was walking the beat as a young police officer, though others, credit sir Robert Peel, who came up with 9 principles of policing that formed the basis of modern policing.

It is true that Sir Robert Peel founded the base-stone of modern policing. His famous nine points are the basic guidelines for every police department. His 7th point states, "police, at all time, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives the reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence."

Though community partnership is an essential characteristic of Robert Peel's nine points, he did not clarify that developing the quality of citizen's lives would be his central theme. His standard of evaluating police performance was "absence of crime and disorder". The 1st point, so, describes, "The basic mission for which the police exist is prevent crime and disorder".

However, the debate of determining the muster minder of community policing philosophy would be endless. But it is true that the base of American approach of community policing lies on Tom Porter's philosophy. In 1972 the Portland Police Department, under the leadership of Tom Porter started the journey of community policing. This idea was adopted by the other police departments of the United States of America. And in 1990's this got the USA federal guardianship. In 1994, in the USA, 'the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act' was passed both in the House and in the senate, authorizing 8.8 billion dollars expenditure over six years. The office of COPS was created to distribute and monitor the funds. The COPS project has extended beyond its stipulated time. It disbursed fund to the states and regional police departments who adapted the philosophy of community policing. Under the COPS project thousands of new police officers were recruited, training centers were setup to impart necessary training to the existing and the newly recruit ed police officers who would work as community police officers. The then president Bill Clinton during his campaign for the second term election, promised his voters to allocate additional funds for COPS and a new recruitment of 100,000 new police officers for community policing activities.

The philosophy and practice of community policing of the USA has diffused worldwide. The semi-military top-down and inward looking police bureaucracy has started to decentralize the decision making authority to root level officers and the police are changing their garments of law enforcers putting on the jacket of problem solvers.

The Bangladesh police have been experimenting with the philosophy of community policing for ages. But no effective strategies have yet been followed. The Police Reform Program (PRP) has been working for massive reform in the police system of Bangladesh. However, its focus is in the structural and attitudinal change of the countries colonial police set up. The idea of community policing might be addressed later on. But some of the police bosses are very much enthusiastic on community policing activities.

Earlier, in Bangladesh, community policing was viewed as an act of organizing community members of the crime affected locality to perform night patrol along with police. Owner groups of the huts, bazaars and business institutions are encouraged to form patrol committee to perform night patrol on shifts. Some dacoity prone rural areas also came under the night patrol style community policing.

This style of community policing are practiced under the patronization and directives of the Officers-in-Charge of the local police stations. The performance of an Officer-in-Charge of a police station is evaluated mainly upon his effective control over crime against property. A dacoity is considered more grievous an offence than the murder of few people due to personal or gang enmity. So, the Officer-in-Charge of a police station tries heart and soul to deter dacoity. To make his jurisdiction free of dacoity, he would force the community members of the dacoity-infested area on the street for patrol. But the other forms of crimes remain un-addressed. Patrolling in the night cannot remove the causes of crimes.

In the traditional strategy of crime control, police never address the roots of criminal activities. And, at the same time it is also true that the police have no mechanism and authority to eliminate the causes of crimes. As community policing is a new philosophy, it demands a positive shift from the traditional policing attitudes. So, the age-old mindset of the police-persons must be changed. But this is perhaps the most difficult task for the organization to change them. Human beings are traditionally conservatives and when they are organized once it is tough to reorganize.

The police department is more conservative than any other organizations. It was believed once that the change of police is impossible. Community policing categorically emphases the sea change in the policing philosophy. It emphasises the change in the organisational, tactical and external elements.

In the organization community policing loose the string of command and control decentralizing the decision making process. The rank and file officers will be given enough leverage to single out community problems, analysis them and find out a solution for it community policing encourages the use of non-law enforcement resources within a law enforcement agency. Volunteerism involves active citizen participation with their law enforcement agency.

Tactically community policing take a proactive and preventive action and address the root causes of crimes and disorders. Police officers, community members and other public and private organizations work together to solve the problems in a community. As community members are viewed as partners by the police, both of them have to shoulder equal responsibilities in problem solving. The prerequisite of implementing community policing is the change in the attitudes of the both police and the public. Therefore training on community policing is needed for the police officers as well as the community members.

In the USA under the COPS project massive training are imparted to the police officers on community policing. There are several Regional Community Policing Training Institutes where police officers, as well as, the community members are being trained. COPS has developed Problem Oriented Guides for Police Series by a group of highly respected researchers.

These COPS publications provide a wealth of information for detectives and patrol officers on current practices and innovations to deal with old and new problems.

In Bangladesh, though community policing has become a buzzing expression now a days, the real phase of community policing is yet to be started. The existing police establishment never encourages the participation of the community in police works.

Bangladesh police, with their present law, rules and regulations is an immensely bureaucratic organization. So, inserting decentralized philosophy of community policing is nearly impossible. To make a room for community participation, Bangladesh Police must change their existing police act. Without changing the existing centralized police structure, community policing can never be practised.

The rank and file officers of Bangladesh police are trained in an academy where not an iota of community policing is taught. The training manual of Bangladesh Police Academy remains unaltered since 1912; and in 1912 the idea of community policing was not formed even in the USA. So, the philosophy of community policing is still a vague expressing to most of the Bangladeshi police officers. Many police officers of Bangladesh police use the word without meaning the real theme. Police officers of subordinate ranks getting involved into community policing web only because, the superior officers want them to do it. But without the whole hearted devotion, community policing will be only the individual boss's idea that will die as soon as the boss departs.

It must be understood that the program of community policing is not a program of only the police department. It is rather, a program of the whole community. So, the community mobilization is one of the major tasks for the community policing advocates. But the fact is that at present the Bangladeshi approach of community policing is exclusively a police activity. Neither the Government nor the non government forces except the police are engaged in community policing.

Special fund is needed to materialize the community policing philosophy. The fund must come from the development budget. Additional police officers as well as non-police experts must be appointed. Bangladesh Police have an acute shortage of human resources. They can hardly perform their routine works with these resources. The community policing program demands extra manpower. So, fresh recruitment of officers, for the implementation community policing program, is needed. However, canceling LPR of the able bodied experienced police persons, the number of officers could be augmented. Besides this retired police officers of commendable quality could be appointed on contract basis in this purpose.

Sources: The police in America.

Would Dakar Declaration promote peace?

Md. Masum Billah

The OIC ended its 11th summit which was a gathering of fifty-seven Muslim countries at Dakar in Senegal. This summit adopted 'Dakar Declaration' pledging to preserve world peace and security and face the challenges of the Muslim Ummah and ensure development of the member states. Every year the same kind of declaration and pledges are made by OIC members but the world scenario particularly Muslim world get bleaker year after year. No noticeable change appears here, rather it seems to deteriorates with the passage of time. Where is the weakness and loophole must be truly identified by the member countries. The whole developing world particular some Muslim world at present seriously suffers from food crisis and uncontrollable price hike endangering their lives. OIC must come up with some practical and reasonable solutions to register itself as a true Muslim Organizaiton.

" The leaders of the Muslim countries hereby renew their pledges to preserve world peace and security and thus to fully adhere to the United Nation's key mission in this regard as well as international legality as rule for all without any political double standards" said the declaration adapted on the concluding day of the summit.The summit leaders reaffirmed the need for complying with all the security council resolutions on Al Quids and issue for which the OIC was established and ensure just and lasting peace in the Middle East and inalienable rights of the Palestinians to establish an independent state within international guaranteed borders.

The declaration condemned Israel's refusal to fully comply with the UN resolution to allow establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al Quids al Sharif as its capital without any territorial discontinuity, pull out of the Golan Heights of Syria and respect Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Serious diplomatic and effective role must be played by the OIC in this regard only declaration or paper writing will not bring solution to this chronic problem. Why you still fail to exert due pressure on the Israeli occupation? Israel is a small country backed by America but you are fifty seven countries blessed with natural resources. Still you get afraid of them. Definitely there lies some serious loopholes.

Terrorism is a global phenomenon which does not relate to any religion, race, caste and country and the scourge should be distinguished from 'legitimate resistance against foreign occupation that prevents one from shedding the blood of innocent civilians." The word terrorism has been used as a political and diplomatic word by the West now -a-days The declaration strongly condemned all sorts of extremism and dogmatism which are incompatible with Islam, a religion of moderation and coexistence. True spirit of Islam and practical aspect of it must be seen and exposed with right perspective. Only religion based education can be given further thought which are sprouting in many Asian countries.

The declaration says since we share the international community's major concerns over terrorism, we would like to confirm that the OIC always seeks to make sure that it is not found wanting what it comes to join actions designed to overcome the major challenges facing generations as a result of globalization. The declaration also vowed to set example of human rights and good governance but I think there should be a clear cut direction, strategy and way to materialize these points

Natural disaster, environmental pollution and poverty eradication are the major issues the world people are facing over the years. The poor and developing countries cannot bear the burden of natural calamities. How to get rid of it is a big challenge now. Worldwide public awareness and sustainable policy must be chalked out by the OIC to minimize the losses caused by various disasters. Research centres of environmental issues and give immediate help to the affected people must come under the purview of OIC initiatives. Only declaration can hardly bring any change. Why not OIC take the initiative to form an international organization similar to Red Cross? Only Islamic Relief Fund cannot make itself prominent with its limited outreach.

It expressed that members resolve to fully take part in the global campaign to bridge the digital divide through voluntary contributions so as to address the energy problems and promote worm, the family and children as major social requirement. Members have given utmost importance to the need to urgently implement the provision of the Ten Year Prgoramme of Action against poverty in Africa. This is a laudable step. Its full implementation and materialization may invite smile on the mouths of hungry Afirans. Similar plan may be taken in South East Asia as well.

" Within the same drive of Islamic renewal ,w e call on the member states and their scholars to seek to unify the Islamic calendar and thus boost Islam's image in the world." It should be definitely done to boost up the image of Islam.

To meet the worldwide food crisis, OIC can play significant role by establishing world famous rice and wheat research institute like IRRI. The scientists of the Muslim countries will conduct research and contribute to the world in a positive and practical way. To distribute the wealth of the rich OIC countries' wealth among the less developed and poor Muslim countries, the rich Muslim countries can import different professional mostly from OIC member countries which will consolidate the friendly relations as well as directly cooperate economic development and cooperation.

It really looks odd to see when the whole Iraq has been devastated by the USA on a false plea, when the Palestinians lead an abnormal life living in the roars of cannons and shedding unlimited blood almost everyday, the Saudi Shieks pass their times in enjoying horse race which definitely claims hundreds of dollars. Absolute waste of money it is. Rich Muslim particularly the Middle Eastern still use the poor children of brother countries as camel jockey. How inhuman and ridiculous it is! This is our deeds and this is our Muslim leaders' performance. See, how Fidel Castro showed the thumb to the powerful America. How the Cubans have survived themselves through the rocking of American terrorism and poverty. Not a single child in Cuba live at home without going to school. All the families have the food security. But what we have done? Some of our Muslim brother countries change carpets of the their houses and mosques several times of the year. Whereas, many African countries starve days together and America goes there with humanitarian aids. How farce the matter is! Yes, rich Muslim The rich Muslim countries give monetary help to some comparatively poor courtiers to establish mosques and orphanages. They think that this is the solution of poverty and the result we see. This money could been spent for establishing technical institutes to feed the growing demand of skilled labour force in these countries making the avenues of friendship stronger and alleviating poverty.

57 Muslim countries sleep when the oldest centre for Muslim civilization has been completely destroyed for nothing. Muslim countries just took complacency to see the fall of Saddam. Even, these countries cannot get united which is a subtle diplomacy of the shred western world. Still the Muslim countries have been struggling to see a mirage. The whole western world and the evil forces would have been afraid of the united force of these countries but surprisingly they try to take shelter in the corner of their own houses.

A group of frustrated or misguided or less analytical ability Muslims have resorted to taking revenge or spread Islam in another form which has been exposed as terrorism and made this religion scorned by other religious followers. Islam has seriously been misinterpreted by them tarnishing the pure image of Islam. The evil forces have got the chance to further tarnish and misinterpret Islam. Now it is duty of the Muslim scholars and leaders to explain and show the real picture of this religion.

The religious prayer houses I mean our mosques which was supposed to be the centre of spreading knowledge both worldly and after the world but the religious preaching has been limited to only some explanations of the after world which sometimes also raise questions in the inquisitive minds and the our religious leaders cannot fully satisfy the queries of others. Conducting serious and comprehensive research on knowledge, science, culture, morality, economics should be the focal issues among the religious houses and strong and genuine cooperation must be established among the Muslim countries narrowing the existing gaps and loopholes lying among them.