Stand beside people like trusted friend: PM Sheikh Hasina to police

"I hope that every member of the (police) force would perform their responsibilities with highest patriotism ... they would work as servants of the people by facing all challenges and stand beside the helpless and imperiled people like trusted friends so that the people could rely on them," she said.

While inaugurating the Police Week-2016 at Rajarbagh Police Lines in the capital this morning, the Premier also asked the police members to help continue the country's development spree by maintaining law and order properly.

"Our aim is to build Bangladesh as a prosperous and developed country and I hope that you would contribute to achieving our goal and materializing our Vision 2021 and Vision 2041," she said.

Earlier, the Premier reviewed a spectacular parade of different contingents of Bangladesh Police riding on an open jeep. She also took salute.

On her arrival at the scene, the Prime Minister was received by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Haque and Additional IGP and Parade Committee President Mokhlesur Rahman. Superintendent of Police Shamusnnahar conducted the parade.

Noting that the working area of the police is being widened day by day, Sheikh Hasina said not only stopping theft, robbery and killing, they are also working to resist cyber crime, money laundering, drug and women and children trafficking and also smuggling of goods.

"That's why we are giving the highest priority to better training and apply of information technology by the police," she said, adding that the police members will have to play a strong role in this regard.

Describing Bangladesh Police as a symbol of peace, security and discipline, the Premier said every member of the force is tirelessly working for providing internal security, establishing the rule of law and protecting human rights.

"Bangladesh Police has been playing a laudable role in all national necessities including resisting destructive and subversive acts of BNP-Jamaat-Shibir nexus, fighting militancy, holding trial of war criminals and 10th Jatiya Sangsad elections as well as city corporation, upazila and municipality polls," she said.

The Prime Minister said 26 valiant members of the law enforcement agencies sacrificed their life from 2013 to 2015 in facing BNP-Jamaat-Shibir violence and militancy. Of them, she said, 21 are police members.

Seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of martyred members of the law enforcement agencies including police, the Premier said this sacrifice is a rare example of protecting the holy constitution, democracy and the rule of law.

"The people of the country would always remember with profound respect your invaluable contributions and sacrifices," she said.

In this connection, the Prime Minister said 231 innocent people were killed and 1,180 others were maimed due to the mindless BNP-Jamaat violence including arson attacks. "Police, BGB, Ansar, Army members, even schoolteacher and children were not spared from their arson and petrol bomb attacks ... it is unimaginable that a human being can kill another human being by burning," she said.

Turning to the atrocities and mayhem harboured by BNP-Jamaat-Shibir nexus over the last few years, the Premier thanked again the members of the law enforcement agencies for their resolute and courageous role against the unethical programme of the BNP-Jamaat clique.

Elaborating the government measures for the development of the police force, the Premier said the work on formation of specialised unit is underway for raising capability of the police to combat terrorism and militancy.

Sheikh Hasina said the number of current manpower of Bangladesh Police is over 1.50 lakh as her government has undertaken timely steps for increasing the manpower of the police force.

"We created 32,031 posts in police organogram including 739 cadre posts over the last seven years. Despite that the number of manpower in the force is not adequate in ratio of the population....considering this, we have decided to create 50,000 more posts," she said.

The Prime Minister said recruitment of police personnel in 13,558 posts including 277 cadre posts has already been completed. "The process for recruiting other manpower would be completed soon," she said.

Alongside recruitment of more manpower, she said, supply of necessary transports and other equipment on priority basis is under active consideration by the government.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has constituted Industrial Police, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Tourist Police, River Police, the Special Security and Protection Battalion. "The people started getting results of these initiatives," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government reintroduced the "IGP Rank Badge" given by the Father of the Nation, while sub-inspectors/sergeant posts have been upgraded to class two and inspector post to class one. "We are now providing 100 percent ration for the police members," she said.

Putting emphasis on further strengthening the community policing activities, Sheikh Hasina said mutual cooperation between the police and the people is a must for building a peaceful and secure society.

Pointing out that Bangladesh Police have earned massive praises in the UN Peacekeeping Missions through their efficiency and professionalism, the Premier said necessary steps would be taken to infuse more dynamism into the police activities in the UN Peacekeeping Missions.

The Prime Minister said her government would keep ongoing the trend it initiated for raising the manpower, formation of specialised unit as well as necessary vehicles and other infrastructure facilities.

Spelling out her government's impressive success in all fields, the Premier said her government has reorganised every sector side by side with improving law and order.

Due to various pragmatic steps of the government, she said, the country's per capita income has been raised to $1,314, while poverty rate has declined to 22.4 percent from 41.5 percent.

"We have increased the salary of the government employees by 123 percent. We launched the construction work of the Padma bridge with our own funding," she said.

The Premier said Bangladesh is now a lower middle income country and a 'role model' of development," she said, mentioning that every member of Bangladesh Police is equal partner of this success.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has already been elevated to the lower middle income country. "We are a victorious nation, we cannot remain only as the lower middle income country...we must be upgraded to higher middle income country by 2021 and a developed and prosperous one by 2041 Insha Allah," she said.

Extending her heartiest congratulations to those who were awarded Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) and President Police Medals (PPM), Sheikh Hasina hoped that these awards would provide more encouragement to them in future side by side with recognition to their work.

At the function, the Prime Minister handed over Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) and President Police Medal (PPM) to 102 police members in four categories for their bravery and heroism in their services in last one year.

Of the policemen, 19 got the BPM award and 40 the PPM award, while 23 received BPM-Service award and 40 others PPM-service award.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol