The police are planning to launch special drives based on a list of extortionists and jhut (waste cloth) traders recently submitted by detectives to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner.
At a crime conference held at Police Headquarters, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Miah directed his force to take action against listed extortionists and jhut traders, directing copies of the list to be sent to all police stations in the capital, several DMP officials said yesterday.
All of the officers-in-charge of the capital’s 49 police stations and police top brass were present at the conference presided over by the DMP commissioner.
Police were told to mediate, when possible, between local-level ruling party leaders to resolve disputes, but to take lawful action against them if they were involved in serious crimes, sources said.
The list of extortionists and jhut traders was prepared to help police stations investigate suspects and take action.
The DMP boss called for work on building a criminal database to be sped up. He said the database would enable investigators access to relevant information quickly.
A DMP high official who attended the conference said the DMP was introducing a help desk at Police Headquarters from today in a bid to provide greater public support.
Support would be provided for victims and relatives of phone threats, extortion, internet harassment and missing persons cases. The joint commissioner (crime) and joint commissioner (detectives) will coordinate the support service, sources said.