Md Joynal Abedin Khan :
Police personnel are not happy as they failed to get any assurance over the formation of their long expected ‘New Police Act’ from the government high-ups which they think will make the force more people-friendly.
The law enforcers are also not pleased with the country’s apex court’s recent judgment over ‘Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act’ that prohibits torture in custody by law enforcers.
Some members of Police raised the issue at the inaugural function of the ‘Police Welfare Parade Meeting’ held on the occasion of the ‘Police Week-2017’ attended by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Rajarbagh Police Lines ground on Monday.
This was the first time the Prime Minister attended such an event of police and listened to policemen — from constable to Additional Superintendent.
Earlier, only officials from Superintendent of Police to Deputy Inspector General were allowed to speak and place demands before the Home Minister — that too during indoor meetings.
The police raised their objection to the recent Supreme Court verdict that the judicial court would be able to take into cognizance by issuing suo moto order if allegations of torture against the police are brought. It was argued that such a judgment hampers the rights of the police.
On May 24 last year, the Supreme Court upheld a High Court order that asked for the reform of the provisions of arrest without warrant and interrogation on remand under sections 54 and 167 of the CrPC.
In 2015, the Police Department had sent a proposal to the Home Ministry for bringing major changes to the law and wanted safeguards from prosecution for custodial death and torture.
In 2009, the ruling Awami League’s member of parliament Saber Hossain Chowdhury, who was allegedly tortured during the previous BNP regime, proposed the law in line with article 35(5) of the constitution. “No person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment or treatment,” reads the article.
The Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, which the National Parliament passed in 2013, stated that torture in custody by law enforcers or government officials is a punishable criminal offence.
Additional Superintendant of Comilla police Tanveer Salehin Emon taking part in the discussion said that taking advantage of the law anyone can file a case putting forward false allegations of mental torture.
Some other demands, which include increasing residential and hospital facilities and job quota for officers of the Police Dependant were also placed in the programme.
In defense of the proposed changes, police argued that the law might cause impediment to the duties of law enforcement agencies to save lives and properties during political instability, especially from arson and other subversive activities, sources said.
The Home Ministry had formed a committee to scrutinise the proposals and made a move to bring amendments. At that time, rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Ain o Salish Kendra, expressed deep concern and denounced the government move and the police demand, they said.
At the welfare parade, Constable Khairun Nahar, thanked the Prime Minister for increasing ration facilities. She, however, mentioned that they only get two sets of uniform a year and one full sleeve shirt for winter. She demanded at least three sets of uniform.
Sergeant Moshiur Rahman of Jhenidah expressed satisfaction for upgrading the post of sergeant to class-II from class-III.
Demanding more staff quarters, he said they are facing space shortage in police stations and police outposts.
Suza Kumar Kundo, Sub-Inspector of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit, demanded at least 10 percent job quota in the force for dependants of police officials.
Monirul Islam, Inspector at Keraniganj Police Station, wanted for police modern and unique hospital services that would include the ICU facilities.
In a query, Sheikh Hasina said that two or three more barracks, like that in Rajarbagh, will be constructed in Dhaka and the search for locations has begun. Residential facilities will also be built for police outside the capital, she said.
Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque laid importance on making the police more capable with logistics support and equipment to fight terrorism.
The IGP also said whenever the AL comes to power, the police forces see development and expansion. He said there is no frustration at the lower echelon as promotion has now been a regular phenomenon. Police are discharging duty around 16 hours, he claimed.
Besides, Police force has 1,94,713 members, including 25,000 officials while the current ratio of public and police members is 822:1. It needed to be 400:1, said Sheikh Hemayet Hossain, Additional IGP of Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
It has only 9,066 vehicles, including 5,000 old and sub-standard transports. It has also shortage of fire arms, lack of proper training, he said.
Police Headquarters sources said, police force, established in the colonial period in 1960, is the barrier to modern police. For this reason, the force personnel expected an announcement for a new Police Act.
