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Police warned of arbitrary arrests

27 May 2009, 18:00 PM

NATIONAL

Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi

Rajshahi district Superintendent of Police (SP) ASM Masum Rabbani yesterday warned of stern action against responsible police officials in case of arbitrary arrests and abuse of Section 54, particularly while dealing with people suspected as members of JMB and PBCP. The new SP came up with the warning at a view exchange meeting with journalists who alleged 'arrest business' by police through abuse of power to arrest anyone without a warrant under Section 54. There are allegations of frequent power abuse by police as arbitrary arrests under Section 54 are quite common, local journalists and correspondents of different national print and electronic media said at the meeting at an auditorium in Rajshahi Police Lines. In most cases, the arrestees under Section 54 are released through bail from courts as the police fail to prove anything against them, they said. Responding to the journalists' speech, the district police chief said, “I am asking all officers, from now forth, not to arrest anyone without a warrant. The concerned officers must justify arrests under Section 54 and any incident of harassment will be taken seriously.”