Drug dealers and snatchers are often released despite being brought under the law multiple times because of loopholes and limitations in the legal system, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Community Bank Bangladesh PLC Chairman Md Ali Hossain Fakir said on Saturday.
“We are conducting operations against drugs. Every drug dealer and every snatcher has been brought under the law multiple times. But because of loopholes in the law, we have not been able to keep them detained in that manner. They are released again and become involved in the same crimes,” he said.
The IGP made the remarks at an event titled “My City, My Country—Bangladesh Changes Through Cleanliness”, organized by Community Bank at Viqarunnisa Noon School & College in the capital on Saturday morning.
He called on citizens to work alongside police to prevent drug abuse and snatching, noting that the number of police officers is low compared with the country’s population.
There is approximately one police officer for every 1,000 people, he said, stressing that people from all sections and professions of society need to work together to maintain law and order.
Fakir also expressed concern over the impact of drugs on the younger generation, saying various drugs, including yaba, are being supplied to young people under different names.
In many cases, such substances are marketed as “energy tablets” or under other attractive names, he said, urging parents and others to make children aware of the risks.
“When a child becomes involved with drugs, it does not only ruin the child’s own life; the entire family has to pay the price,” the IGP said.
He recalled witnessing incidents during his career in which children assaulted and injured their own fathers after being refused money to buy drugs.
Fakir also stressed the need for people-friendly and citizen-oriented policing, while saying public cooperation was essential for police to perform their duties effectively.
“Our policing will be people-oriented. We will be friendly toward the people. But maintaining law and order is difficult without public cooperation. We have seen what kind of disorder can emerge in society when the police are unable to perform their duties effectively,” he said.
On environmental protection, the IGP said the cleanliness and tree-planting initiatives were aimed at bringing about real change rather than merely creating publicity.
He called for more tree planting and stronger cleanliness activities to reduce environmental pollution in the capital.
Fakir also said students should receive education beyond textbooks and take part in environmental conservation, cleanliness campaigns and volunteer activities to help develop them as responsible citizens.
He also stressed the importance of teaching children about traffic rules from an early age, saying children in other countries are taught how to cross roads and use streets safely.
Students in Bangladesh should similarly be made aware of road safety from an early age, he said.
Referring to the “My City, My Country—Bangladesh Changes Through Cleanliness” campaign, Fakir said Community Bank had launched the initiative as part of its social responsibility under the government’s broader plans.
He expressed hope that continued cooperation between police and the public would contribute to building a clean, safe and beautiful Bangladesh.
DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed said the tree-planting campaign launched on Saturday marked a milestone for Bangladesh Police, the capital and the Dhaka City Corporation.
He said the initiative was not limited to planting trees but also marked the beginning of an awareness campaign across the capital.
“The campaign launched today through the initiative of Community Police and Community Bank will, I believe, spread to every corner of Dhaka city,” he said.
