Trucks carrying sacrificial animals: Police chief irked over failure to curb extortion

Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed yesterday expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of officers to save cattle-carrying trucks from being extorted.

Stern actions will be taken against such policemen, he said.

Extortion on highways will not be tolerated, he told the concluding session of crime conference at Bangladesh Police Auditorium at Rajarbagh.

The IGP said the district superintendents of police were not performing their duties properly as they are often seen at different departments in Dhaka, leaving their stations. "It must stop."

Other high officials of police said the superintendents of police (SP) in districts should "leave their posts" if they fail to stop extortion.

Benazir then asked SPs to visit cattle markets regularly. "I do not want police to be in headlines."

No cattle-carrying truck should be stopped or checked without a specific reason, said the police chief.

Several high officials, who attended the closed-door conference, disclosed the statements to The Daily Star.

On the first day of the two-day conference, the officers discussed the last three months' data on crime. It was found out that robberies had increased during the period.

YM Belalur Rahman, deputy inspector general (crime management) of Police Headquarters, presented the data on crime.

Benazir asked police officers to improve probe efficiency. "Investigation into cases should be complete within the shortest time."

The police chief instructed officers to ensure security at shopping malls, banks, financial institutions, and bus, train and launch terminals ahead of Eid.

Ensure smooth traffic during Eid rush, he said, adding that check posts should be set up to keep motorcycles and three-wheelers off the highways.

An additional IG said that the number of Durga Puja mandaps has been increasing every year.

"We have a workforce of 2.12 lakh members and we are able to deploy 75 percent of our strength during the puja. But the increase in puja mandap may create a security concern. So, the number of puja mandap should be limited in the coming years," a source quoted the high official as saying.

The SPs of 64 districts, range deputy inspectors general, metropolitan commissioners, and chiefs of different units attended the conference.