De-radicalise arrested militants
A counterterrorism official yesterday suggested immediate steps for de-radicalisation of arrested militants.
The country lacks any mechanism for de-radicalisation and counter-narratives for militants, said Aminul Islam, joint commissioner of the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
“After arrest, militants usually behave tough, but slowly they become normal. When they are arrested again on release from the jail, they resume radical behaviour,” he said in his presentation at the quarterly crime conference of police, according to officials in attendance.
In response, Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque asked the participants to chip in to work out an effective de-radicalisation process.
Terming militancy and drugs as two major problems for Bangladesh, the police chief ordered a zero tolerance against these crimes.
145 COPS IN DRUG TRADE
He also warned of action against the police personnel involved with the drug peddlers.
According to meeting sources, 145 cops were found involved with drug rackets across the country, and action was initiated against them.
The superintendent of police of Mymensingh said many police officials were addicted to drugs.
Officials told the conference that inquiries were underway against 139 police personnel, and 13 of them already faced action.
POLICE INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME ON RISE
The conference was also told that police involvement in crimes was increasing.
The SP of Chandpur highlighted the need for fair appointment in the force and a stop to financial transactions in the process.
Top police officials, including chief of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), attended the conference and discussed the crime scenario of January to March.
JUVENILE CRIME ON RISE
According to police records, involvement of children and juveniles in crimes rose over the last few years. Last year the number of cases recorded across the country for involvement of children and juveniles in crimes was 1,596, which was 1,184 in 2015. The number was 818 in 2014 and 589 in 2013. Talking about the harassment of women, the IGP asked officials to stand beside the victims and urged the SPs in districts to monitor the cases regularly. “No one should be arrested following false allegations or cases.” The police chief also asked field officials to record all abduction cases and take necessary actions.
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