Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Moynul Islam on Saturday committed to building a people’s police force by the hopes and aspirations of common citizens.
“I want to promise, the kind of police force you (people) want, we want to create that kind of police force,” he said while addressing the sixth foundation anniversary celebration function of Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RpMP) as the chief guest.
Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Mazid Ali presided over the function, held at Rangpur Police Lines School and College auditorium, in the city.
The IGP regretted that the police could not provide the desired services to the people during the fascist regime due to a very few number of derailed police officers at the leadership level.
“We always consider people as an assisting force for us and that should be the goal of an ideal police force, police is for the people and police is with the people … police are for materialising the hopes and aspirations of the people,” he said.
The police are a unique force for the country, he said, adding the police on the philosophy of maintaining peace, law and order for the progress of the country.
“But, unfortunately, we couldn’t properly conduct the duties bestowed upon us due to a few misguided and derailed police officers at the leadership level,” he said.
The police formed the first resistance in the War of Liberation, he said, adding that the humanitarian activities of the police, including the burial of deceased people, during the Covid-19 epidemic, were highly appreciated.
“At present, we’ve not been able to fulfil the aspirations of the people. So, we want to form the police of people's aspirations,” he said.
The IGP said that the police would act according to their rules.
“I want to tell the police, you will not be used by the leaders of any political party, and I want to tell the politicians that you will not use the police for party work,” he said.
The IGP said massive changes have been initiated in the police. Officers have been transferred on a large scale, he said, adding that along with that qualified and deprived police officers have been posted to the right places.
He said Chhatra League has been banned as per clause 18 of the Anti-terrorism Act of 2009 considering its long-standing misdeeds.
“Chhatra League is now a banned identity. So, it has no right to any political activities, meetings and rallies,” he said, adding that if Chhatra League tries to bring out processions, they would be dealt with like any other banned organisation.
The IGP assured the people of taking proper legal steps against all wrongdoings, misdeeds and injustice of the Chhatra League.
Regarding the Shaheed Abu Sayeed murder case and other cases, the IGP said, “We have taken measures to properly investigate the cases filed in the incidents of attacks on the students and people during the anti-discrimination student movement.
“Shaheed Abu Sayeed's case is being investigated by a PBI officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police. So far, 21 accused including two policemen have been arrested in this case,” he said.
Rangpur Range DIG Md Aminul Islam, Acting Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Azmal Hossain, Police Training Center Commandant Basudeb Banik, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Foysal, District Superintendent of Police Mohammad Sharif Uddin, Army Officer Lt Col Masud, Central Coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement Sarjis Alam, its Rangpur Coordinators Dr Jamil Hossain, Imran Ahmed, Abu Sayeed's mother Monwara Begum and elder brother Abu Hossain, Metropolitan BNP convener Samsuzzaman Samu, Jamaat Central Leader Mahmudur Rahman Belal, among others, addressed the function.
At the end of the rally, financial support was given to the family members of the injured and killed in the anti-discrimination student movement.
