Cops, media should work hand in hand

Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque yesterday stressed the need for cooperation between police and media.

He was speaking at a views-exchange meeting titled "The role of media and police in ensuring public security" at a city hotel.

Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, chief executive officer of ETV, moderated the function while Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Asaduzzaman Mia gave the welcome address.

Media's assistance is essential for establishing the rule of law, emphasised IGP Shahidul.

The IGP said if human rights were violated and justice hampered, media could project it for concerned institution to find a solution.

DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman said media is the reflection of a democratic state.

Initiative has been taken to create positive attitude among the police personnel through training and monitoring activities at the field level to ensure accountability, he added.

DMP Joint commissioner (crime) Krishna Pada Roy read out a written statement.

Duty of police is to ensure security and media's job is to collect and publish information related to crime. The role of media and police is complementary and cooperation-based, he said.

Advocate SM Rezaul Karim said that the people's trust in police will be restored if law is strictly enforced on the influential people.

Civil society and print and electronic media members including journalist Nayeemul Islam Khan, Major General (retd) Mohammad Ali Shikder, Acting Editor of Daily Jugantor Saiful Alam, former IGP Nurul Huda, Prime Minister's Information Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Bangladesh Protidin Editor Nayeem Nizam, Prof Salimullah Khan, columnist Syed Abul Maksud, journalist Abed Khan and Prof Sadeka Halim participated in the meeting.