Sagar Biswas :In the wake of widespread allegation about lack of professional reflex, the security forces, especially the police and Rapid Action Battalion [RAB], have started patrolling the city streets keeping their fingers on the trigger of loaded firearms.All intelligence agencies, including Special Branch, Detective and Criminal Intelligence Division, National Security Intelligence and Intelligence Wing of RAB, have been asked to perform their duties in a coordinated way to gather information about possible sabotage and militant activities, officials said.The decision was taken in view of the latest attack at a police check post [Wednesday] in Ashulia on the outskirts of capital city Dhaka that left one constable dead and two others injured. It was alleged that the policemen were not prepared to tackle such an emergency situation and they fled the scene as their firearms were not loaded. At present, the members of police department have been asked to be equipped with bullet-proof jackets, helmets and leg guards, and also remain alert at each and every check posts and even on riding patrol cars, said an official of the Police Headquarters.As per the applied technique, at least five policemen under the leadership of a junior officer would be deployed with loaded Chinese Rifle, Shotgun and other weapons at each check post. Of them, two will search body of suspected persons or vehicles while the rest three will remain highly alert pointing their automatic weapons for counter attack, the official said.”The anti-state elements have been launching attack one after another on the police. But we will not tolerate such situation anymore. We have already directed the members of police force to take hard-line. Police can open fire in a bid to save public life and property,” Acting Inspector General of Police Javed Patwari has said.According to officials, the police personnel have also been warned not to stay anywhere aloof. They are asked to perform their duties united in all situations. In this regard, a seven-point order has been sent to Deputy Inspector General and Superintendent of Police of all 64 district headquarters with asking them to shoot-at-sight the criminals. Apart from increasing safety arrangements at all key-point-installations, the government has also beefed up security measures at Shi’ite Mosque in the city’s Mohammadpur area on Friday by deploying additional police and RAB members. Intelligence sources said the security measure at Shi’ite Mosque was increased from Friday following specific information of sabotage, but concerned police officials said that it was done as part of regular security arrangement.In fact, the precaution has been taken following grenade attack during Tajia procession of Shi’ite at Huseni Dalan in Old Dhaka in the wee hours of October 24, that left one person killed and several others injured, sources said.The scenario is also same in Chittagong where the security forces have taken special measures to prevent untoward incidents. The joint forces, comprising the members of police, RAB and Border Guard Bangladesh [BGB], are now conducting massive search operation setting check posts at different strategic points of Chittagong.At the same time, the Chittagong Metropolitan Police [CMP] authorities have directed the residents of Port City to install close-circuit-cameras [CCTVs] in the residential areas and other establishments to prevent any terror act.When contacted, Commissioner of CMP Abdul Jalil Mondol told The New Nation last night: “The security forces are on alert position in Chittagong. The police won’t hesitate to open fire if attacked by the miscreants. All members of CMP have been instructed to launch counter attack in self-defence. The country’s existing law has given the police such rights to use arms in necessity.”Elaborating the CMP activities, the Police Commissioner further said, “At present, we are conducting massive hunt to nab listed terrors, accused persons [in different criminal cases] and narcotics dealers. The operation will continue until further order.” Earlier on Tuesday, the BGB dog squads were deployed at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong as a part of additional security arrangements. Meanwhile, the government has deployed Paramilitary BGB in Sirajganj yesterday afternoon as a part of added security arrangement. “Two platoons of BGB have reached Sirajganj to start patrolling from evening. The BGB will patrol the area along with police to keep control law and order situation,” Deputy Commissioner [current charge] of Sirajganj Md Qamrul Hassan said. According to information available, eight persons including two policemen and two foreign nationals were killed in the attack of assailants in last 40 days.
