UNB, Sarda (Rajshahi) :
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said 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.
Sheikh Hasina said the government wanted to contain militancy and terrorism with iron hand. and the police force took
appreciable steps in this regard. She mentioned that 15 police personnel were killed in the last one year and 3,000 policemen were injured due to the violence.
“The nation will remember their sacrifice,” the Prime Minister 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, Sheikh 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: “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, destroyed rail lines and vehicles, and created panic among the people. Their movement became a failure as they had no public support,” she added.
The Prime Minister said 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.”
Sheikh Hasina said that over the last five years, her government has modernized 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 Prime Minister 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.”
Sheikh 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 Prime Minister 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.
Sheikh Hasina said all training centers of police including at Sarda are being modernized 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. Prime Minister Sheikh 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 Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister also planted a sapling on the premises of the police academy officers mess and took part in an official photo session with the officers.
