Police will not violate law in tackling violence, says govt

The government has sought to reassure that police will not violate law in their efforts to tackle violence during the ongoing BNP-sponsored blockade.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 29 Jan 2015, 04:30 PM
Updated : 29 Jan 2015, 05:25 PM

State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal held a press briefing on Thursday amid the BNP's concern after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked police to take stern measures to stop acts of sabotage.

At least 40 people have been killed and over 100 others injured since the BNP started enforcing the violent blockade on Jan 5.

Hasina on Thursday ordered police to do everything necessary to protect the people during the violence. "Whatever happens I will take the liability," she told top police officers.

Journalists caught up with Kamal on Thursday after a programme at the Rajarbagh Police Lines in Dhaka.

"You can see how the general people are being killed and properties damaged in the name of demonstration," he said.

The state minister said the prime minister had asked police to work a little harder for the people's sake.

But he assured, "Whatever police will do will be within the purview of the law."

The BNP has been critical of Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque and Border Guard Bangladesh chief Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed after they said their forces would not show leniency towards the saboteurs.

Gen Ahmed recently said his troopers would not hesitate to open fire to prevent acts of sabotage.

He explained his comments on Thursday in Jessore.

"BGB is assisting police and RAB in maintaining law and order. We didn't get any directive to clamp down on political programmes...it's not our job," he said.

Ahmed added that his troopers were patrolling the roads in coordination with police and RAB apart from maintaining law and order in localities when called in.

At another programme in Chuadanga he hinted at going hard on saboteurs.

"The BGB will take a tougher stance to tackle acts of sabotage if necessary," he said.

(Additional reporting by Chuadanga and Jessore correspondents)