Anti-graft Drive: ACC now has armed cops

Twenty armed police members were attached to the Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday to facilitate smooth execution of anti-graft drives.

There had been a long-time demand that the ACC be strengthened and its officials be secured against any untoward situation during raids.

In February, four, including three ACC officials, were beaten up at Sylhet deputy commissioner's office, as they caught a staffer red-handed while he was receiving bribe, and attempted to arrest him. 

The ACC team members were attacked by colleagues of the corrupt officer. The public administration ministry later suspended him.  

Following the latest move, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya, public relations officer of the ACC, said ACC officials often faced obstacles and hassles while conducting drives.

“It is difficult to carry out job for the unarmed ACC officials at the government offices like passport, land [offices] and BRTA where brokers are very much active.”

Had there been police force during the raid in Sylhet, the assault would not have taken place, Pranab added.

ACC Director General Muhammad Munir Chowdhury said armed police added a new dimension to the activities of the commission.

“From arresting accused and leading drives to collect evidence, the police force will work for the security of ACC [officials],” he said.

The 20 member armed police team comprises one sub-inspector, four assistant sub-inspectors and 15 constables.

Munir said the ACC would be strengthened further so that the corrupt could not escape.

Replying to questions of journalists, he said the armed police would not take part in the investigations of the cases. They would only accompany ACC officials during drives to provide them with security.

An ACC team conducted a drive yesterday with five policemen at Bangladesh Road Transport Authority's Mirpur office on information through its hotline-106 that officers were taking bribes.

They could not arrest anyone, however, as the brokers fled the scene.

Assuming office as the ACC's chairman, Iqbal Mahmood held series of meetings with different stakeholders to formulate a five-year strategy when the anti-graft body sought formation of an armed unit.