Take stern action against lawbreakers

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina takes salute at the annual parade of police force at the inaugural ceremony of the Police Week 2010 at Rajarbagh Police Lines in the city yesterday. Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the law enforcement agencies to bring all of those who will break the laws of the land to book, whoever they may be.
"Stern action will be taken against the lawbreakers, no matter whatever their political identity is," the PM said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Police Week 2010 and annual parade of the force at Rajarbagh Police Lines.
This year the police week with four-day programmes is being observed with the promise of building a 'liveable safe Bangladesh'.
"I want to say it very clearly you must bring all of those who are harmful to the country's law-and-order situation to law. In this regard, no negligence will be tolerated."
The premier in her address also advised the police members to attain confidence and trust of people providing best services to the patriotic people of the country.
"Without people's involvement and cooperation terrorism and crimes cannot be eliminated from society completely," she said.
Hasina reaffirmed her government's strong stand to eliminate extortion, terrorism, violence and all other criminal activities from the country.
She made it clear that the people who voted the present government to power expect peace and stability in all spheres of life and the government is pledge-bound to fulfil their expectations.
"Every person of this land wants a safe life, peaceful environment, normal movement and guarantee of their livelihoods. They want to sleep in peace. And it is our sacred duty to fulfil all these aspirations of people," the PM said.
Hasina said as the members of law-enforcing agencies, police have the most important role to play in implementing the government commitment for ensuring happy life for the people.
"I believe you all will perform your respective duties properly and sincerely," she told the police.
The premier thanked all members of the police department for their brave and bold role in combating militant and extremist groups in the first year of the present democratic government.
Police have to work very hard as the number of police members against the total population is not sufficient, the PM said.
"Even you do not have fixed working hours. But I can assure that our government is completely aware of every problem facing the police department and is taking necessary measures to solve the problems."
Hasina said the government, since assuming office, has taken various measures to facilitate police for effectively discharging their duties and to ensure the police members' social dignity.
She also assured that the government is considering the matter of upgrading ASI, sergeants and sub-inspectors to second class and of inspectors to first-class ranks.
Besides, time-scale anomalies among the constables will be removed and a special project worth Tk 487 crore has been taken up for development of the police department, she informed the gathering.
By June this year, all 599 thanas of the country will get two pickup vans and as many motorcycles each. All SP offices and thanas will get computers with internet connections, said the PM.
The government is also continuing hectic diplomatic efforts to ensure more recruitment of Bangladesh police personnel, including female members, under the UN Peacekeeping Mission.
Besides, she further said, equal ration facilities from the constable to the IGP and reinstating jobs of those police members who were deprived by the past BNP-Jamaat government are among the government's measures taken for police department's welfare.
Earlier, on her arrival at the parade ground, the PM was received by Home Minister Sahara Khatun, State Minister for Home Shamsul Huq Tuku, IGP Nur Mohammad and Additional IGP Nabo Bikram Kishore Tripura.
A total of 27 officers were given President Police Medal (gallantry) 2008 while one officer was given Bangladesh Police Medal (Service) 2008.
Two officers were awarded with Bangladesh Police Medal (Posthumous) 2009 while one with Bangladesh Police Medal (Service) and 20 members with President Police Medal 2009.
Ten officers, including Rab DG Hasan Mahmud Khandaker and DMP Police Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque, were awarded President Police Medal (PPM) Service.