Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked police to take whatever steps they deem necessary to stop violence unleashed by the BNP-Jamaat alliance across the country in the name of blockade and hartal.
“I will take the responsibility for whatever happens (for the action). But, you’ll have to ensure the security of lives of common people and their property – there is no need for you feel hesitant,” UNB quoted Hasina as saying.
The prime minister also said: “In doing so, you must accomplish the task without any hesitation and I give you the liberty.”
Hasina was addressing an evaluation meeting with senior officials of the Bangladesh Police at the International Conference Room of her office marking the Police Week 2015.
She said what the BNP-Jamaat has been committing since January 5 last in the name of hartal and blockade would never be recognised as a movement in political history as these are completely terrorist and militant acts.
“The way the militants are committing acts in different countries of the world, the same way they (BNP-Jamaat) are now perpetrating destructive acts (across the country),” she said.
“I hope you will take stern actions in your respective areas to curb these terrorist acts after talking to the common people, public representatives and law enforcement agencies like Ansar and VDP and RAB. You will have to be united to curb such militant acts with an iron hand,” she added.
Mentioning that the BNP-Jamaat had a horrific plan to destabilise the country, the prime minister thanked police and intelligence agencies for thwarting their bid to create such an unstable situation.
Alleging that the current anarchy unleashed by the BNP-Jamaat is meant to deter the economic dynamism and pace of development, she said the worst victims of these subversive acts are the common and hard-working people.
Hasina questioned the BNP chief whether she, after losing her beloved son, can feel the pain of that mother who has lost her son or whose son suffered severe burn injuries in petrol bomb attacks. “Can Khaleda Zia realise this pain?”
Asserting that it would not be tolerated that anyone would play game with the fate of people, deter the pace of development and cause pain to the poor people, Hasina sought cooperation of the police force to this end adding: “You will have to ensure the security of public life and property through curbing terrorist acts with tough measures.”
She also called upon members of the police to discharge their duties with a strong mentality to establish the rule of law, protect human rights, uphold the constitution and protect democracy alongside protecting the rights of women and children, elderly people and religious minorities.
“The country should be built with the ideals of the War of Liberation. And in this view we have to come out of colonial mindset,” the prime minister said calling for massive reform in the police to make it befitting to an independent nation.
Responding to the demands of the police force, the prime minister said there is no need to claim any demands as the government has its own plan for development of the force and make it as a modern and efficient law enforcing agency.
Sheikh Hasina said two posts of police were upgraded to Grade 1 and three others will be upgraded according to her government’s commitment. She said twenty more posts of the law enforcing agencies will be upgraded to Grade 1. She also laid importance on reducing the number of grades in the civil administration.
She said the present government has implemented most of the development and welfare programmes of police. “Staff training college, construction of barracks and risk and tiffin allowance were implemented by Awami League government,” she said.
The prime minister assured the police officials to consider their demands for construction of four police lines around Dhaka City to deal with the law and order against the backdrop of the extension of the metropolis.
She also assured them of looking into the demands of resolving the residence problems of the police and procure more transport for their mobility.
The prime minister asked police to link every police station with the information technology and build network among the intelligence agencies.
Hasina said she has not assumed office to relish power, rather she believes that it was her duty and responsibility to ensure the welfare and betterment of people, reports UNB. Turning to the ongoing war crimes trial, she said the trial is going on properly and this has to be taken ahead to free the country from stigma.
The prime minister also extended thanks to members of the police and other law enforcement agencies for their role in holding the last January 5 polls and tackling the current countrywide situation in the wake of arson, violence, hurling petrol bombs by the BNP-Jamaat nexus.
She also renewed her pledge to restore peace in the country, turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country well before 2021 and a prosperous developed one by 2041.
State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Home Ministry Senior Secretary Mozammel Haque Khan spoke on the occasion while IGP AKM Shahidul Haque gave the address of welcome. Besides, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia, DIG of Chittagong Range Shahidul Islam and Dhaka District police super Habibur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.