Community policing vital to curb drugs, juvenile gangs: IGP

BAGERHAT, Oct 25: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir has said community policing will play an important role in controlling drug abuse and juvenile gangs.

“Police are needed from the cradle to the grave. Unless we strengthen the police, none of us will be able to move around freely and comfortably, day or night,” he said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a community policing rally organised by Bagerhat district police at the police lines around 11:00am on Sunday.

The IGP also said people had been unable to enjoy true freedom after the Liberation War and had faced discrimination. He urged people not to pay heed to rumours about whether “Apa” would return in December.
“We eliminated discrimination through the July Movement in 2024,” he said.

The district police organised the event to raise public awareness, strengthen community engagement in policing and build mutual trust and cooperation between police and the public.

Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Md Jamirul Islam chaired the rally, while Khulna Range Deputy Inspector General of Police Md Rezaul Karim and Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md Baten spoke as special guests.

Bagerhat Press Club President Abu Said Shunu and Hindu Buddhist Christian Forum President Pradip Basu Shantu also addressed the gathering.

Later, at a press briefing, the IGP said economic development was essential to improve people's living standards, identifying unemployment as a major underlying problem.

“Every year, 2.5 to 3 million educated unemployed people join the ranks of the unemployed,” he said.

Seeking public cooperation to eliminate drugs and juvenile gangs, Ali Hossain Fakir said the police had a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs.

“You must cooperate with the police to eliminate juvenile gangs,” he said.

Committees led by upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) and officers-in-charge (OCs) of police stations have been formed to prevent juvenile gang activities. These committees will further strengthen community policing initiatives, he added.

The police chief stressed the need for greater public participation in crime prevention and joint efforts by police and citizens to maintain law and order.
Earlier, the IGP took part in a tree-planting programme at Bagerhat Police Lines.