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January 25, 2004 

Will new dress bring any change?

Recently the government has introduced new dress for Bangladesh Police. In her address to the police force on the opening day of Police week, the Prime Minister asked the police member to perform their duty properly. She also hoped that with the new dress, police will be able to change their image. I think the PM is too optimistic. Without solving the fundamental problems, we cannot expect the police to discharge their duty properly. We all know, general people no longer treat police as their friend. Rather, they are afraid of police and always tries to keep themselves away form police. But why? Few days back, high police officials of Dhaka Metropolitan Police pointed out their problems and limitations to the State Minister for Home. They raised various issues which hinders smooth functioning of police. I am not opposing the government's decision, but my point is why don't you take appropriate steps to ameliorate the exiting problems of the police? The change of dress will bring no good if the attitude and behaviour of police is not changed.
Jahangir Alam,
Tolarbagh, Mirpur, Dhaka.

*****

Recently the dress-up of police has been changed. Changing dress-up of police is not an important event for the people. What is important is that the police should take a lenient view towards the mass. They will have to regain their past image. Now the people no longer deem police as their friend. They are (police) considered as lackey of political govt instead. Albeit the bulk of police is well-mannered, gentle and a wee bit amicable, the remains are a culprit one. Besides, every consecutive govt uses police for serving its political purpose. For all intent and purpose, the real power of police has been shorn of by our politics. To revamp police and stir its activities, this condition of police is to be ameliorated in the first place.

In a country with approximately 135 million people, the police/people ratio is very poor. Apart from its disproportion ratio, vintage weapons, hoary past mindset and political clout have make the situation even worse. To make the situation better, parochial attitude of the political high-ups is to be annihilated. Strict training procedure must be pursued with a regular basis. The last but not the least, nepotism, illegal appointment and political intervention, if, are stopped, only then we expect our police will work according to our expectation.
Aminul Islam,
Student of Economics, Dhaka University.

Legal Aid Fund needs more publicity

There are 61 legal aid committees in 61 Districts chaired by Deputy Commissioner. Poor people can seek financial assistance for litigation from the fund. Around eight thousand cases have been filed through the financial help provided by this fund. Introduction of legal aid fund by the government is undoubtedly a praiseworthy step.

Unfortunately, legal aid fund lacks publicity that hinders proper application of it as litigants are mostly illiterate and unconscious about their legal rights. Consequently, existence of this fund remains unknown to them. Moreover, process of proving someone eligible to get assistance form this fund is not easy and friendly one. Taking the above problems into account, the government should not only ensure publicity of the fund, but also proper distribution of the aid. NGO's and other social institutions can be involved to raise awareness among the poor people to make best use of the legal aid fund.
Al Amin Sagar,
Dhaka University.