Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam yesterday said the police are taking steps to curb crimes, which have seen a rise after August 5.

"We do not have any magical solution because you know the circumstances and from where we have to come back -- we are taking measures to address these challenges," he told reporters yesterday after the annual general meeting of the Retired Police Officers' Welfare Association at the capital's Rajarbagh Police Lines.

Alam's response came when asked about the rising incidents of theft, robbery and murder in Dhaka and elsewhere since August 5.

"We are working to awaken the police force and regain their confidence. We want to get closer to people and seek their cooperation. We are also calling on representatives of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement to help us strengthen community engagement."

Regarding the attacks and threats to student coordinators in different districts, he said: "We have analysed and resolved each incident and those are not cases of targeted killings."

The incident in Kaliakoir was a robbery case, while the incident in Narayanganj was related to mobile phone snatching.

Besides, there are two other incidents of threats: one in Mymensingh and another involving a Brac University student.

The incident in Mymensingh was perpetrated by a class-X student, who was arrested and returned to his parents as he claimed "it was a prank".

In connection with the threat to the Brac University student, the detective branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested a person named Jahid Hasan from Sirajganj.

"We are working to resolve every incident, but not all of them are connected."

The Bangladesh Police is going through a critical period.

"Never before in its history has the police faced such a predicament. There is a significant difference between the pre- and post-August revolution police."

Before the revolution, the police had become an instrument of a "fascist government", leading to widespread public anger against them.

The leadership within the police had collapsed, and public trust had eroded, he said.

The current challenge is to structure the police effectively, make them acceptable to the public and ensure that they never revert to an anti-people stance.

Alam said they sought help from representatives of the Students Against Discrimination platform to enhance the police's community engagement.

"We want them to put in extra effort to connect us with the community. I believe that without this, the police alone cannot fight crime. But we are trying."

Arrangements are being made to promote officers whose service tenure is only 10-12 days.

"I had retired myself but have been given this responsibility again. I don't know how much I will be able to fulfil it, but I will try. I seek your help and advice so that I can leave with respect when the time comes," Alam added.

Speaking at the same event, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali said that members of the Bangladesh Police must serve people to overcome their trauma as this is the only way to restore the force's tarnished image.

The lingering impact of the July incident has left many police officers socially stigmatised.

"We still feel ashamed to introduce ourselves as police officers in various social events. To come out from trauma, we must dedicate ourselves to serving the people of this country. Only through service we can regain our lost glory and image, inshaAllah."

He urged serving officers to engage with the Administrative Reform Commission to advocate for police demands.

Individual efforts may not have the same impact as collective representation through the association, he added.