People trusting police again

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said people were now getting back their trust and confidence in the police force as they were discharging their responsibilities with utmost honesty, sincerity, devotion and dedication to ensure their security.

“Now, the people's confidence and trust in the police have been restored, which is very important, I think,” she said.

The PM said this while inaugurating the newly established Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RMP) and Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) through videoconferencing from the Gono Bhaban.

She said the police personnel were discharging their duties with honesty and they were able to ensure security of the mass people. “To develop a country, maintaining law and order is very important.”

Hasina said she witnessed that sincerity, honesty, cordiality and devotion among members of the police force while performing their responsibilities. “This is great.”

The PM thanked the police for their strong role in containing militancy and terrorism in the country. “The police force has taken timely steps to curb militancy and terrorism and that's why we've been able to attain success.”

Hasina said the duty of the government was to serve the people. “We want people to get quick service from the police,” she said, adding that the government established the RMP and GPM for that purpose.

Whenever the Awami League comes to power, it always works for the development of the police force, the PM said. She also briefly described various development programmes taken by her government for its development.

“We've worked to make the police force stronger and developed through using modern technologies so that they can properly discharge their public duties," she added.

Inspector General of Police Mohammad Javed Patwary and Public Security Division Secretary of the Home Ministry Mostafa Kamal Uddin also spoke on the occasion.

Later, the PM talked to newly appointed RMP Commissioner Abdul Alim Mahmud and GMP Commissioner YM Belalur Rahman through the videoconference.

The government published a gazette notification on December 10, 2017, creating 1,185 posts for formation of RMP as per the PM's commitment during her visit to Rangpur on January 8, 2011.

The RMP is constituted with 239.72 square kilometres of land and six police stations -- Kotwali, Porshuram, Hajirhat, Haragachh, Tazhat and Mahiganj -- and several police outposts.

Some 470 police personnel, including one police commissioner, two additional police commissioners, two deputy police commissioners and one additional deputy police commissioner have joined the RMP, while 295 others are ready to join their respective posts.

Besides, Gazipur City Corporation was formed on January 16, 2013, with 330 square kilometres of area combined with six unions and Gazipur and Tongi municipalities.

Around 1,100 policemen will perform their duties at GMP's eight police stations.