The government has decided to recruit around 20,000 policemen and increase logistics of the law enforcement agency, and set up a counter-terrorism bureau.
“We have agreed that the strength of the police department has to be increased because the police cannot deliver their duties properly with their present strength,” Law Secretary Shahidul Haque told the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday.
He said more recruitment was required in the highway police and marine police.
The decisions were made yesterdayat a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office with PM’s Political Adviser HT Imam in the chair.
“The meeting made a number of decisions, including recruiting 20,000 members for the police department,” a secretary told the Dhaka Tribune, preferring not to be quoted.
Home ministry Senior Secretary CQK Mustaq Ahmed was not present at the meeting that discussed various other issues, including the challenge of tackling militancy in the country.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of raising police units –abureauof investigation, maritime police and campus police – toenhance maintenance of law and order.
HT Imam was not immediatelyavailable for comments.
Asked if the meeting was held bypassing the home ministry, a senior official at the ministry said such meetings could be arranged following instructionsfrom the prime minister.
The official, however, noted that every activity of the government should be done in compliance with the rules and regulations.
Public administration Senior SecretaryAbdusSobhanShikder, Law SecretaryShahidulHaque, Inspector General of Police Hasan Mahmud Khandker and home ministry Additional Secretary Nazimuddin Chowdhury, among others, were present at the meeting.
