Appreciating the role of the police force in curbing crimes, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her government is working to create 50,000 more posts while the formation of a specialised police unit to combat terrorism is under way.
“Bangladesh Police has already shown their efficiency in fighting militancy and terrorism. The process of forming a specialised unit to fight terrorism in under way to increase their capacity,” she said while inaugurating Police Week 2016 at Rajarbagh Police Lines yesterday.
Although terrorists are carrying out subversive activities across the world, they had failed to build a strong base in the country due to prompt steps taken by the law enforcement agencies, especially the police force, she said.
The people are already getting benefits from the existing specialised units including Industrial Police, Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), Tourist Police, River Police, and Special Security and Protection Battalion, the premier added.
She said that the manpower of the police force now stands at 1,50,000 because of her government’s timely steps. “In the last seven years, a total of 738 cadres and 32,031 posts were created in the force while recruitment against 277 cadres and 13,588 posts has already been completed.”
Hasina said that the government had decided to create 50,000 more posts for the police.
“The police are playing a great role in maintaining law and order. They are risking their lives to ensure security of the lives and properties of the countrymen.
“The BNP-Jamaat alliance carried out destructive activities across the country when we were busy with the development tasks. They attacked bus drivers, passengers, police and BGB personnel with petrol bombs, killing 231 people and injuring 1,180 last year,” she said, and thanked the law enforcers for taking action against such illegal activities.
The premier said that they were now focusing on training of the police officials so that they could handle any situation in future effectively. She hoped that the police personnel would perform their duties with full dignity and responsibility to fulfil the government’s “Vision 2021” and “Vision 2041.”
Earlier in the day, the premier observed a colourful parade brought out by 13 contingents of Bangladesh Police on an open jeep, where the parade commander and the driver were female. Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque was also present.
Before her speech, Hasina handed over Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) and President Police Medal (PPM) to 102 police members for their bravery and heroism in their services last year. Of them, 19 got BPM award and 40 got PPM award, while 23 received BPM-Service Award and 40 others got PPM-service award.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Additional IGP Mokhlesur Rahman, also president of the Parade Committee, and other senior officials of the police were also present at the programme among others.
