Go strict against BCL crimes
The home ministry has asked police officials to act strictly to curb crimes by Chhatra League activists or face disciplinary measures.
The instructions were given to all superintendents of police and officers-in-charge on Thursday. They follow directions from the Prime Ministers' Office to contain unruly activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student body associated with Awami League, said home ministry sources.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and government policymakers are seriously worried over the way BCL activists are engaged in violence at educational institutions. The home ministry instructions reflect their concern, added the sources.
The law enforcers must go tough on unruly Chhatra League men, no matter what some influential leaders and lawmakers say or want, said a ministry source citing the message sent to police officials.
A senior home ministry official, who would not be identified talking about internal matter, said, “The message has been communicated to everyone concerned and we hope to see a result within a week.
“If anyone fails to act accordingly, he will face stern departmental actions.”
Earlier on Thursday, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, prime minister's special assistant, conveyed prime minister's directives to police and Rapid Action Battalion officials.
"They [police] have been asked not to consider requests by any minister, lawmaker and party leader in favour of Chhatra League wrongdoers," he told The Daily Star that day.
Meanwhile, top brass of the police have asked officers to tackle violence by ruling party men professionally.
They have told their grassroots level colleagues that maintaining law and order is a challenge they must see off. They should not be cowed and compromised by political influence.
At a police conference in the capital on May 4-5, officers from the districts blamed the ruling party men for the deteriorating law and order situation.
Preferring not to be named, an additional inspector general of police on Thursday told The Daily Star, "We told our field level officers that interference from ministers, ruling party lawmakers and influential leaders is nothing new. We have to work professionally through it all.”
The same day, Inspector General of Police Nur Mohammad told The Daily Star, "As the IGP, it is my job to ensure that my subordinates work professionally braving all difficulties."
Participants at the conference also observed that a section of police officers enjoy political blessings, which is a threat to the chain of command.
Asked about it, the IGP said, "It is my responsibility to maintain the departmental chain of command and the government has nothing to do in this regard."
Replying to another query, he said, "Some actions have already been taken in response to allegations of disobedience against a number of OCs.
“From now on, I will directly see to every allegation of influence and political blessings to policemen."
On condition of anonymity, another additional IGP said they were trying to give the field level officers a signal that the government is against unscrupulous leaders and their cadres and also rogue cops.
An SP from a northern district told The Daily Star, "Our bosses have asked us to maintain closer ties with people. They also directed us to make sure none of us takes undue benefits and blessings from any quarters.”
Another SP said, "It's true that political leaders have OCs transferred at will. But we must not deny that some crooked officials at the police headquarters are also involved in the transfer trade."
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