Be impartial during polls

Reiterating the government's plan to hold the next general election in December, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday told police to act impartially and not give in to pressure from any group during the polls.

Prof Yunus also asked them to ensure the safety of women, minority communities, and the underprivileged people.

The interim government doesn't have much time left, he said at a special meeting with senior police officers at his office in the capital's Tejgaon.

"We have already spent seven months. We're saying the election will be held in December. So, within this time, we must accomplish what we want…. We should make the necessary reforms -- whether they are the ones we are discussing or the ones you suggest."

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Those who run for office may become desperate, but "you must operate within the boundaries of the law" regardless of what the political parties say.

"No matter who it is -- whether it's the newly formed political parties led by students or the established ones -- if they make any demands, respond by saying, 'We will adhere to the law.'"

Police's special focus should also be on women's safety, now "a critical topic of discussion", and it is an enormous task, he said.

"Due to our negligence… half of our country's population has become helpless, with no one to pay attention to them. Women are even afraid to walk on the streets…. They are unsure where to look -- whether to gaze up or down. They are also uncertain about what clothes to wear."

Every man has a personal responsibility to ensure women's safety. "But as police officers, we have the greatest responsibility. The law has given every citizen their rights, and it is our duty to uphold those rights."

The safety of minorities is equally important. It is the government's responsibility to ensure the rights granted to them by the constitution, he said.

The country is going through a war-like situation. And as the election approaches, the "defeated forces" are likely to engage in more misdeeds to create unrest to disrupt peace, he said.

The government ultimately depends on the police to create the environment for implementing its initiatives.

Terming the previous regime a dark period, Prof Yunus said the police were "active participants" in that era.

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During the Awami League rule, police were influenced by bad individuals, he said, expressing hopes that they would prove that they are good people.

"To build a new Bangladesh, you must move away from that mindset and embrace the idea of building a truly new Bangladesh…. In this new Bangladesh, police must prove their commitment to maintaining law and order. The police must also demonstrate that they were victims of circumstance, not wrongdoers. They are now ready to help build a reformed nation."

THE MEETING

Senior officials told the chief adviser that only an independent commission could bring the police force back to the right track and make it service-oriented.

Baharul Alam, inspector general of police, said a proposal to form a police commission was placed before the Police Reform Commission, but the police do not know whether it would be implemented.

An independent commission is crucial for ensuring stability.

A high official, requesting anonymity, said that there were enthusiasms among the police over the meeting.

Police officers told Yunus that they wanted reforms in the force and an environment in which they could carry out their duties without facing political pressure, according to officers who attended the meeting.

Ahsan Habib Palash, deputy inspector general of the Chattogram Range Police, told The Daily Star that he informed the chief adviser about logistical challenges.

"We often face problems in conducting anti-robbery operations, because in many places, we have a shortage of vehicles," he said.

Palash also requested a raise in the travel and daily allowances for officers working in the hill tracts. In addition, he sought higher allowances for investigating general diaries.

Farzana Islam, superintendent of police in Rajshahi, requested the chief adviser for more living quarters for officers and improved living standards at the barracks.

Police personnel need daycare centres for their children and the traffic police need bathrooms and drinking water, she said.

Farzana said she requested posting women officers at the women and children's desks.

The chief adviser assured that he would look into the demands.

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Home Secretary Nasimul Gani also spoke at the meeting.

IGP Baharul later held another meeting at the Police Headquarters where he told officers that they must face the challenges in the coming days with utmost professionalism.