The newly appointed Inspector General of Police Mainul Islam has ordered police personnel to return to their respective units within 24 hours. The new police chief blamed the state of affairs in the country on the decisions of some ambitious and unprofessional officers.
Mainul's statements came in a press conference at the Police HQs on Wednesday. A vacuum has been created but we have started working to fill it, the IGP said. He expressed his hope that the situation would change soon.
Md Mainul Islam asked all officers and forces of all specialized units, including Rajarbagh Police Lines, POM, APBNs, all metropolitan and district police lines to join duty by today (Thursday) evening.
"Metropolitan police commissioners and district superintendents of police (SPs) will form Citizen Security Committees comprising senior citizens, professionals, student representatives, political and media personalities in their respective police station areas," he directed.
The committees will play an emergency role in providing security to police stations and areas under police stations and its final outline will be formulated later, said the IGP.
"Officers and forces of all metropolitan, district, river, railway and highway police stations have been asked to join their respective police lines within the next 24 hours," he added.
In order to maintain discipline of the police force, the IGP said, "I am instructing my colleagues at all levels to refrain from making any claims, comments and replies through social media."
He said many of his colleagues were injured, killed and harassed because of some ambitious, unprofessional officers and not following the principles of applying force, human rights violations and leadership failures.
"At this crucial movement, I sincerely call upon all the policemen to devote themselves to fulfilling their duties as members of the law enforcement force in the needs of the country and the nation. We will take all measures to improve your quality of life and ensure overall welfare," IGP added.
He sought everyone's cooperation in fulfilling his professional duties as the IGP, adding, "With the combined efforts of all, we will build a happy, prosperous, peaceful and safe Bangladesh, Insha Allah."
Md Mainul Islam expressed special thanks to leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, patriotic armed forces, political leaders, media, civil society and all respected citizens for their sincere role in ushering in a new chapter of the country.
