Vowing to make Dhaka a safer city, the newly appointed Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Miah said he would be as tough as required to ensure public safety.
“Whatever measure that is necessary to ensure public safety will be taken as per law. We will be as tough as we need to. Those who try to disrupt regular lives of people will not be spared,” he said at a press briefing in the DMP media centre after assuming office yesterday morning.
“In 2013, miscreants went on rampage to make the country unstable. Thirteen police members died and 300 were injured, while 3,000 sustained minor injuries that year. Even then, police risked their lives for the sake of public security. And we continue to do that,” he said.
The new commissioner sought cooperation from the city’s elite as well as the journalists in protecting public life and property, and promised to carry out his duties with sincerity and professionalism.
Asked about the allegation that the police force had been used for political interests for years, the DMP chief said: “We are servants of the republic. Our responsibilities are defined by the constitution, Code of Criminal Procedure and the police act. We will not go beyond our jurisdiction.
“If someone loots and sets fire to public properties and tries to create anarchy, we will do what the law permits us to do. We will not compromise with the criminal, militant and subversive activities.”
He said police would make sure that the law was implemented equally to all.
The police commissioner also said he would work to raise public awareness about maintaining public security and work to ensure an investment-friendly environment in the country.
Previously the deputy inspector general (highway), Asaduzzaman was appointed the DMP commissioner on December 30. His predecessor Benazir Ahmed was appointed director general of RAB.