Community policing: Bogra model to be replicated across country
Bogra model of community policing will be replicated all over the country.
Rajshahi Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque said this while talking to this correspondent over telephone recently.
Already people have been benefited following introduction of the system in 16 district headquarters, the DIG said. Beneficiaries got easy access to justice in many rural areas and they are now happy after introduction of the system, he said.
Because of community policing, drug peddling have reduced to a great extent and awareness among people in Rajshahi division, he said.
The DIG expressed his optimism over success of the system because, he said this will reduce cases relating to family feud, land dispute and other cognizable and non-cognizable offences, he said.
Civil and criminal cases have reduced in 16 northern districts following introduction of the system, he said. In some cases, community policing has ensured social justice to poor people in Bogra town and adjoining areas, he added.
Bogra Sadar police station officer-in-charge (OC) Hasan Shamim Iqbal said about 1,200 cases have been resolved in his area through community policing since January to April this year.
The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has kept a positive impact in society, he said.
A large number of poor people have been benefitted by the system. Examples of Santona Begum and Sapna can be cited in this respect.
Santona Begum, a housewife said, 'I have got rid of torture from my husband. This is very good system for helpless women.' 'The sytem should be continued,' she said.
Sapna, another beneficiary said, 'It has provided courage and shelter to many women like me.' 'It has protected us from torture and the system should be extended to other parts of the country to provide justice to vulnerable women, she said.
Light House, a Bogra-based NGO, initiated the community policing programme with assistance from international donor agency, The Asia Foundation about three years ago. Local office of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) collaborated with Light House in the noble task.
A senior official of The Asia Foundation said that Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum (ADRF) has been formed in each ward under the preview of Community Policing Forum (CPF). It consists of five members having experience in conducting traditional 'Salish'.
An agreement has been signed between Light House and BLAST. BLAST facilitates to capacitate ADRF members through training and provided technical support during and after ADR.
A training manual has been designed in collaboration with BLAST on legal aspects and mediation process. The ADRF members got three days' basic training following the manual. Subsequently they were provided with refreshers' training.
Like ADRF members, CPF members and local leaders were also imparted with training.
A senior police official of Bogra Sadar Police Station said police are sharing ADRF and CPF experience to expand the programme in rural and urban areas to reduce the crimes.
About 99 disputes have been resolved in Ward No-1 while 86 disputes resolved in Ward No. 3 in Bogra Pourashava. This is followed by 49 in Ward No-5 and 45 in Ward No-6. The number of disputes resolved in rural area is comparatively low than those in urban areas.
In rural areas, the highest 41 disputes have been resolved in Ward No-4. This is followed by 15 in Ward No-9 and 12 in Ward No- 7 and 10 in Ward No-4, said the police official.
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