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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said today that the government is determined to bring to the book those militants and terrorists who attacked the houses and temples of Hindu community during the national election.
She expressed the resolve while delivering a speech at Sarda Police Academy after taking salute at the training completion parade of the trainee assistant superintendents of police of the 31st BCS.
“The joint forces and police personnel were very much active to contain the violence unleashed by BNP-Jamaat-Shibir, before and after the election. After that, this communal force attacked the houses and temples of Hindu community. The government is determined to bring these militants-terrorists to book,” she said.
The government wants to contain militancy and terrorism with iron hand and the police force took appreciable steps in this regard, Hasina said.
She mentioned that 15 police personnel were killed and 3,000 others injured in the last one year due to the violence.
“The nation will remember their sacrifice,” the premier said, adding that she is praying for their departed soul.
She also expressed sympathy to their bereaved family members.
About the trial of the war criminals, Hasina said the implementation of the verdict on war criminals has begun. “We’ll repay the debt of blood of the freedom fighters by completing the trial of all war criminals. We’ll free the country from stigma,” she said.
She said: “Those with anti-democratic and anti-Liberation spirit, and communal BNP-Jamaat-Shibir and their associates had unleashed violence to destabilise the country.”
“They killed people by hurling petrol bombs, removing rail lines and damaging vehicles, and created panic among the people. Their movement became a failure as they had no public support,” she added.
The prime minister claimed that the people again put their trust on her government.
She said: “The movement to stop the January 5 election by BNP and their local and foreign masters, lobbyists, other beneficiaries and vested professional intellectuals failed as people took part in the election willingly. They upheld the democracy and constitution.”
Hasina said that over the last five years, her government has modernised the police force.
More than 31,000 new posts including 614 cadre posts were created. Industrial Police, Tourist Police and Navy Police were formed while Police Bureau of Investigation was constituted to improve the inquiry into cases relating to crimes.
In addition, two security and protection battalions were constituted to strengthen security of VIPs and key installations.
The status of sub-inspector and sergeants were elevated to second class from third class, she said.
The PM mentioned that the IGP rank badge for police has been reintroduced following the decision of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while the post of the IGP has been upgraded to senior secretary and two grade-2 posts were elevated to grade-1.
Highlighting the country’s achievements during her government’s last tenure, she said Bangladesh is moving ahead and has now entered the second phase of development. “We want to make Bangladesh pacifist country in South Asia and a model of development.”
Hasina extended her sincere thanks to the members of the police force for showing their courage and excellence in seizing 10-truck arms in Chittagong in 2005 during the BNP regime, saying that by doing this the police force had protected the country.
Urging police to provide their services with a friendly attitude to the people, she said: “You should be more cordial to women, children and elderly people, and address the public problems with sincerity and compassion.
The PM asked each and every member of Bangladesh Police to adopt a friendly attitude towards the people to earn their confidence, saying that the police force must maintain neutrality, accountability and transparency apart from upholding their professional excellence.
She said that her government considers the budgetary allocation given to the police as an investment to maintain law and order.
Highest importance was given to acquisition of modern technology and giving training to the members of the police force.
Hasina said all training centers of police including at Sarda are being modernised and police stations across the country would be reformed so that people get better service from those stations.
State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, IGP Hasan Mahmud Khandakar and Principal of the Police Academy Nayeem Ahmed were, among others, present.
A total of 176 ASPs, including 24 female cadres, passed the course.
Hasina distributed medals among the best probationary ASPs and administered their oath.
She took salute and inspected the parade.
ASP Shahdat Hossain conducted the parade as parade commander.
Among the trainees, Md Atiqul Haque Pradhan received the award of Best Probationer and M Ruhul Amin Sarkar and Shahed Ahmed took award as ‘best in academic’ and ‘best rider’ from the PM.
The premier also planted a sapling on the premises of the police academy officers’ mess and took part in an official photo session with the officers.