Restrict movement unless urgent: IGP

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has requested to restrict the movement "unless urgent" during the 10-day program from March 17 to 26 to mark the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of independence.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a scholarship awarding ceremony organised by the Bangladesh Police Service Association at the Rajarbagh Police Auditorium in the capital yesterday.

Adressing dwellers of the capital, the IGP said heads of state of five countries would come to Bangladesh to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and the golden jubilee of independence.

"It is our state responsibility to provide security to VVIPs and it is being requested to restrict movement during the celebration if there is not a serious need," said the police chief.

The IGP also requested political parties not to announce any programme for these few days.

At the ceremony, Benazir Ahmed handed over scholarships to 124 children of police families in different category.

Addressing the students, the police chief said, "Islam never supports militancy. Militancy is the enemy of Islam. Many Muslims have been persecuted in their (militants') hands; many Muslims have shed blood, many have been killed. Students must stay away from militancy."

The IGP said it was important to be aware in student life and stay away from militancy.

The police chief said more allocations have been made for education in the last 12 years. "Students are being taught without pay and books are free. We used to get the book three or four months later but the scenario has changed now," said Benazir.

The police chief further said that in the next four to five years, poverty will go away from Bangladesh.

Mahbubur Rahman, deputy inspector general of Industrial Police and vice president of Bangladesh Police Service Association, presided over the ceremony.

Moniur Rahman Chowdhury, additional inspector general of police (admin and operations), Krishno Pada Roy, additional commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Mohammad Jayedul Alam, superintendent of police of Narayanganj also spoke in the ceremony, among others.