SO shocking it is to see how shabbily our police personnel have to live in run-down outposts, that may collapse at any time, without any precaution. An English daily reported that some 37 security men live at a ramshackle two-storey colonial-era building in the capital’s Lalbagh outpost barrack under Chawkbazar Police Station. We are worried about the risk that those policemen are facing while living in such a hazardous dilapidated building risking death any time. We extend our deep sympathy to these fellow citizenries who, albeit having such sufferings in barrack life, discharge their duty and serve the nation upholding the ethics of the profession.
The building was established in 1940 near Lalbagh Shahi Mosque. There has been an ownership dispute resulting in a writ before the High Court. The police department set up the outpost there in 1973. Of the present residents, 21 are constables, eight are assistant sub-inspectors, seven are Ansar members and one is a sub-inspector. Some 14 to 15 camp members on average stay inside the barrack at night while the rest remain on duty, said the camp in-charge. Those who have night duties sleep in the daytime. They share nine rooms for living while one is used as an office and another as an arsenal. The ramshackle two-storey building has innumerable cracks. It is just unlivable. Accidents may occur at any time. Therefore, the inmates have been spending their days in utter anxiety braving danger at the outpost.
Lalbagh police camp is good enough to depict the overall condition of police barracks around the country. The nationwide scenario of living conditions of the low ranked policemen and Ansar members is no doubt quite unsatisfactory. After performing prolonged 16-18 hours security duty a day, when policemen returns to the barracks, he usually gets tired. Compelling them to live in such ruined, risky and unsecured buildings makes them emotionally vulnerable. One just does not get the much-needed rest and sleeping space. This makes the policemen physically irritated and mentally restive and agitated or vindictive to others. Besides, the dilapidate condition of the police and Ansar barracks exposes a scenario of sloppy security measures for fire-arms used by these security forces.
We ask that the state provides a modest living to the security personnel who are obliged to serve citizens. But the ground reality shows, police are very often kept busy attending and protecting the VIPs in rather harsh conditions. Unfortunately, the policy makers have little time to attend to such a diminutive issue like providing better accommodation to the security personnel. As a result, there may be a possibility of anger and frustration among the low ranked police and Ansar men which they often demonstrate by brutal action against the average citizen.
Considering the work of policemen as one vital to the nation, the government should take immediate initiatives to get the security men rid from the anxiety of tedious, unhygienic and risky accommodations.
