Do whatever needed to stop violence
Do whatever needed to stop violence
PM asks police, says she will take responsibility for their actions
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday ordered the police to take whatever steps necessary to stop the ongoing violence in the country.
“I'll take the responsibility for whatever happens [due to the action]. But you'll have to ensure the security of the common people. You'll take whatever steps necessary against those responsible for burning and attacking people,” she said.
Hasina was addressing an evaluation meeting with senior police officials at the International Conference Room of her office, marking the Police Week 2015.
The PM added, “You [police] must accomplish the task without any hesitation and I give you the liberty.”
What the BNP-Jamaat has been doing since January 5 in the name of hartal and blockade would never be recognised as a movement in the political history as these are terrorism and militant acts, she noted.
She asked cops to take stern action to curb terrorist acts after talking to common people, public representatives and other law enforcement agencies like the Ansar, VDP and Rab.
Hasina questioned if BNP chief Khaleda Zia, after losing her younger son, could feel the pain of those mothers whose sons suffered severe burn injuries in petrol bomb attacks.
She instructed the police to discharge its duties with a strong determination to establish the rule of law, protect democracy, human rights, rights of women and children, elderly people and religious minorities.
About her government's plan to raise the number of administrative divisions to 10, she said this would increase the scope of work of the administration and police.
The PM said she did not assume office to relish power, rather she believed it was her duty and responsibility to ensure people's welfare and betterment.
The war crimes trial, she added, is going on properly and this has to be continued to free the country from a stigma.
On the demands raised by police officials, Hasina said some five Grade-1 posts have been created in the police. “The number of Grade-1 posts in the police will be raised gradually.”
She also assured cops of providing them with necessary vehicles, including speedboats, enhancing their manpower, building new police barracks in phases as well as setting up four new police lines in the capital.
She thanked members of the police and other law enforcement agencies for their role in holding the January 5 polls and tackling the current law and order problems in the country.
State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan, Senior Home Secretary Mozammel Haque Khan and IGP AKM Shahidul Hoque, among others, spoke on the occasion.