Tough action against traffic offenders: DMP

Dhaka Metropolitan Police has decided to take strict measures against traffic offences, amid widespread protests demanding safe roads.

Police would observe “traffic week” from today, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzman Mia told a press conference at the DMP Media Centre.

“We will take firm action against any vehicle without fitness certificate or other violations of the traffic law, including driving by assistants, three or more people riding motorcycles, traffic signal violations and wrong-way driving,” he said.

He added that influential persons would not be spared.

Thanking the students for regulating the traffic, the DMP commissioner urged them to go back to their studies and requested guardians and teachers to take them back.

“The children have raised our morale and made us stronger…. I salute the efforts of the students. We have delayed the work that should have been done long ago. [We] failed due to several obstacles.

“We are expecting that the students will keep faith on us and let police handle the situation.”

Police used to take support from girl guides and boy scouts during traffic weeks. If any student wants to volunteer, police would welcome them, he said.

Traffic offences are an old problem and police have often taken steps to stop wrong-way driving, lane violations, and three people on motorcycles, he said.

An investigation into the deaths of two college students that sparked the protests is also underway, he said.

The DMP chief further said they have intelligence that a vested quarter was trying to influence and take the demo into another direction.

“We have information that a group of people are infiltrating the student demos wearing school dresses. They are making school dresses in large numbers.”

Misleading and inflammatory posts shared on the social media are attempting to incite violence. Protesters are using vulgar language in placards and slogans, spreading falsehood on social media and attacking police personnel, said the DMP boss.

“But amid such instigations, police are performing their duties and responsibilities peacefully with sincerity,” he said.

Police are investigating and trying to find out the infiltrators. Action will be taken against them, he said.

The situation has created panic among city people, he added.