50,000 more police to be recruited: PM

"Initially, 20,000 members would be appointed to Bangladesh Police, while the appointment of the rest would be given in phases," she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing the passing-out parade of the 31st batch of Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) at the Bangladesh Police Academy here this morning.

Sheikh Hasina said her government over the last five years has modernized the police force and more than 31,000 new posts, including 614 cadre posts, were created during the period.

She said all thanas (police stations) in the country would be reformed to make those more effective service centers.

"All training centers of police including Sarda are being modernized and police stations across the country would be reformed so that people get better services from those stations," she said.

In this connection, she asked every member of Bangladesh Police to adopt a friendly attitude towards the people to earn their trust saying the police must maintain neutrality, accountability and transparency as well as upholding their professional excellence.

"You should be more cordial to women, children and elderly people and handle public problems with sincerity and humanity," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has combated militancy and terrorism with an iron hand. The law enforcement agencies played a laudable role in this regard, she said.

Pointing out the role of police in combating terrorist and militant outfits over the last few years, the Prime Minister said a section of political parties is giving them indulgence as her party initiated the trials of war criminals, patrons of militancy and terrorism .

"Execution of the verdicts against war criminals has started and we will repay our debts to the martyred freedom fighters and make the country free from stigma", said the Prime Minister.

Sheikh Hasina said her government considers the budgetary allocation given to the police as an investment to maintain the law and order.

Highest importance has been given to acquisition of modern technology and giving training to the members of the police force, she said.

State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hasan Mahmud Khandakar and Principal of the Academy Nayeem Ahmed were present, among others.

PM-POLICE-PASSING OUT 2 LAST SARDA The Prime Minister took salute, reviewed the parade and distributed medals among the best probationary ASPs.

She also planted a sapling on the premises of Police Officers' Mess. A total of 176 ASPs, including 24 female ones, passed the course.

The Prime Minister distributed medals among the best police officers of the course and administered their oath. ASP Shahdat Hossain conducted the parade as parade commander.

Among the trainees, Md. Atiqul Haque Pradhan received the award of Best Probationer and M Ruhul Amin Sarkar and Shahed Ahmed took award as 'best in academic' and 'best rider' from the Prime Minister.

Pointing out relentless efforts of police force to save public lives and property from the attack of BNP-Jamaat, the Prime Minister said 15 police personnel were killed by their cadres over the last one year while some 3,000 members sustained injuries.

She said joint forces are actively working to combat terrorism. Referring to the attacks of the communal force on homes and temples of the Hindu community, she said the government is pledge-bound to bring the culprits to the justice.

Listing her government steps for maintaining law and order, the Prime Minister said Industrial Police, Tourist Police and Navy Police have been formed, while Police Bureau of Investigation was constituted to improve the investigation into cases relating to crimes.

In addition, two security and protection battalions were constituted to strengthen security of VIPs and key installations. The status of sub inspector and sergeants has been elevated to class two from class three officers.

The IGP Rank badge for police has been reintroduced following the decision of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while post of the IGP has been upgraded to senior secretary and two grade-2 posts were elevated to grade-1, she said.

Highlighting the country's achievements during her government\'s last tenure, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh is moving ahead and now entered the second phase of development.

"We want to make Bangladesh a pacifist country in South Asia and model of development," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said BNP-Jamaat made their all attempts to dislodge peace from public life pushing the country to darkness. The evil force was out to frustrate all our development in the name of movement.

"But all attempts and conspiracies of their local and foreign masters, lobbyist, beneficiaries and partisan intellectuals went in vain as there was no public support to them," she said.

People of the country have demonstrated their unequivocal support to democracy through taking part in January 5, 2014 election, she said adding they have attached their confidence to us to continue democracy, development and uphold the spirit of the War of Liberation.

The Prime Minister extended her sincere thanks to the police for showing their courage and excellence to seize 10-truck arms in Chittagong in 2004 during BNP regime saying by doing this police force has protected the country.