The process of equipping traffic sergeants with small arms to prevent muggings and robberies on roads and highways has begun, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjad Ali has said.
He made the statement during the inauguration of counter-based and e-ticketing bus services at Azampur Raw Market (BDR Market) in Uttara, Dhaka on Thursday night.
The DMP commissioner noted that strict measures have been taken in response to a rise in robberies, resulting in the arrest of numerous criminals.
"Due to these efforts, the number of robberies has decreased in the last 15 days. Our operations will continue with full force," he added.
Explaining the need for arming traffic sergeants, he said: "We have encountered incidents of open and armed robberies in various areas. Due to manpower shortages, traffic police officers often find themselves unable to intervene effectively. To address this, we have initiated steps to provide them with small arms."
When asked about the attack and vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 the previous night, Sajjad Ali said: "We worked to bring the situation under control. I personally stayed on-site till late at night to assess the situation."
