Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said that the government will continue its policy of rewarding outstanding performance in crime control while taking disciplinary actions against negligence and misconduct.
Talking to the journalists at his secretariat office in Dhaka, the minister said: "While police officers will be rewarded for their achievements in combating crime, any negligence or wrongdoing will also be met with reprimand and departmental punishment."
He noted that the police had demonstrated commendable professionalism in rapidly investigating and arresting suspects in several high-profile and complex criminal cases, including the recent rape and brutal murder of Ramisa.
In recognition of such achievements, the government will reward the officers involved. At the same time, he emphasized that inactivity, negligence or involvement in criminal activities by any police member would not be tolerated.
Describing the verdict in the Pallabi murder case as a historic milestone in the country's judicial and criminal investigation history, the minister said that DNA testing, autopsy procedures and the submission of the charge sheet were completed within an exceptionally shortest possible time.
"Even the learned judge and the officials concerned cancelled their Eid holidays to complete the judicial proceedings in this case. It is an outstanding example of state and social responsibility," he said.
Regarding the implementation of the court's verdict, Salahuddin Ahmed said the government would draw the attention of the Supreme Court and the Attorney General's Office so that the death reference hearing in the Ramisa murder case could be scheduled earlier within the bounds of due legal process, considering the gravity and brutality of the crime.
The minister also highlighted the efforts of police personnel stationed at the Goalanda (Daulatdia upazila) ferry terminal, whose prompt and prudent actions reportedly saved the lives of at least 50 bus passengers. He further noted that police had swiftly solved the murder of a teenage girl at Gazaria upazila in Munshiganj and arrested the accused.
Referring to the four-day Director General-level border conference between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India's Border Security Force (BSF), scheduled to begin in New Delhi on June 8, he said issues such as illegal push-ins, border killings and broader border security concerns would receive priority attention during the discussions.
"Our BGB-men remain on high alert along the frontier. Any attempt of illegal push-ins or unlawful border crossings will be firmly resisted," he said.
Commenting on the discussions about law and order during a parliamentary party meeting held yesterday (Saturday), the minister said that law enforcement agencies continue to conduct regular operations against crime and narcotics. However, details of that special operation are not disclosed in advance for strategic reasons.
He also said that the government is working on modernizing legislation related to narcotics control and gambling prevention to eliminate the loopholes that allow the offenders to evade justice.
"Once these legal reforms are completed, it will become easier to ensure stricter punishment for the criminals," he added.
