In the wake of recent incidents of “encounters,” custodial deaths, torture and extortions centring the Eid-ul-Fitr, the police high-ups yesterday asked the lawmen to refrain from such activities in the future.
The top brass observed that crimes had risen sharply during April-June compared to the previous quarter.
Around a dozen people were killed in “shootouts” with the police in the last three months. Of them, four were in the capital. Several others died in police custody.
These issues were discussed at the “Quarterly Crime Conference” held at the police headquarters, said sources at the meeting chaired by Inspector General of Police Hassan Mahmood Khandker.
The meeting observed that the incidents of snatching and looting across the country had increased during this period.
In his speech, the police chief directed the field-level policemen to follow rules and procedures properly during the incidents of “encounter” and to contain custodial deaths and torture.
According to sources, Hassan Mahmood also asked the policemen not to be involved in extortion on highways that might cause harassment of the people. He also asked them to prevent robberies and ensure smooth movement of vehicles.
Additional Deputy IGP (special crimes) Md Zahirul Islam Bhuiyan presented the crime statistics at the conference. He said around 48,000 criminals cases had been filed in the last three months.
He, however, mentioned that the number of cases had increased for the filing of additional cases related to the recovery of drugs.
