PM asks police to be impartial, not to give in to any pressure

6 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Unb, Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offers munajat after inaugurating newly constructed DMP Headquarters building in the city yesterday.Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the police personnel to be impartial while performing their duties. “Criminals must not be spared even if they belong to my party. Don't succumb to any pressure,” she told members of the police force at a function after inaugurating the newly constructed DMP Headquarters Building. Home Minister Sahara Khatun, State Minister for Home Affairs Shamsul Haque Tuku, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Abdul Mannan Khan, local MP Rashed Khan Menon and Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikdar were present as the special guests at the function. Inspector General of Police Nur Mohammad presided over the function while DMP Commissioner AKM Shahidul Huq gave the address of welcome. The prime minister said criminals are a cancer of the society… of no use to society and their families. “Don't spare the criminals,” she directed the police. She also said members of the police force must remember their salaries and wages come from the taxes paid by the people. “Don't be negligent in ensuring their security.” Hasina said police would have to be friends of the people. Their main goal would be nursing the good and punishing the evil. “You've to look after all people irrespective of gender and religion, and whether they are literate or illiterate, rich or poor.” She said the police personnel must act in such a way that the general people never fear the police, and instead feel that police are their friends and can be trusted. The PM congratulated the police force for their great achievement in curbing terrorism and militancy despite limited resources. She also conveyed her good wishes to the police force for showing unprecedented patience following Thursday night's fire at Nimtoli in the city. She said the members of the police force would have to learn to use the modern facilities and the fast growing technology to catch and track down the criminals. Hasina said good environment is the perquisite for a person to deliver good works in the office. She hoped that with the newly constructed DMP Headquarters Building at a cost of 11.42 crore the police force in the capital would perform their duties more efficiently. She said the people want secure life, peaceful environment, normal movement and a job for their livelihood. They want to sleep in peace and move safely on the road. “We are committed to providing these to the people. You've the highest responsibility as members of the law enforcing agency in fulfilling such demands of the people,” she said. “I believe the police personnel will act accordingly,” she added. “Militancy and extremism pose a great threat for the security of the people, but you (police) have shown great successes in curbing militancy and extremism after we assumed power,” Hasina said. She said it is mandatory to have a good law and order situation in the country for its desired development. And the internal law and order situation is the yardstick of rule of law. “You've to be alert all the time to maintain law and order and improve it,” she said adding, “You've to show your highest professionalism to maintain law and order and also show highest respect towards human rights.” She directed them to be more careful and show compassion towards women, children, elderly people, and members of the disadvantaged community. Referring to the oppression unleashed by the criminals after 2001 election, she said at that time the oppressed people were not allowed to file case. “I don't want to see such things during the tenure of the current government.” She said the police have to lodge the case if anyone wants to do so. “This will be unethical to refuse anyone from lodging a case.” The government has formed a committee to look after the time-scale problems of the police constablesshe said, adding that it is also working to upgrade the posts of ASI, sergeant and sub-inspector from class III to class II and upgrade inspectors from class II to class I. “We are fully aware of your demands and are working on it,” the PM said amidst applause from the police officials.