Parliamentary body for ‘exemplary punishment’ of erring policemen

A parliamentary standing committee has recommended ‘exemplary punishment’ for police personnel involved in high-handedness or criminal activities.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 3 Feb 2016, 01:27 PM
Updated : 3 Feb 2016, 03:23 PM

The police have been facing much criticism in recent weeks after several incidents of high-handedness widely reported in the media.

The parliamentary committee on Home Ministry after a meeting on Wednesday advised police not to harass people they stop to search. Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Hoque was present.

“The police are doing a good job, but a few of them have gotten involved in crimes. Exemplary punishments have been recommended for them,” said Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon, a member of the standing committee.

Policemen beat up an inspector for Dhaka South City Corporation, Bikash Chandra Saha, at Dhaka’s Jatrabarhi, soon after central bank official Golam Rabbi levelled extortion charges against a  Mohammadpur police station sub-inspector.

The wife of a Juba Dal leader accused a male Sub-Inspector from Adabor of harassment while he searched her forcefully. The matter was discussed in the panel’s meeting. 

The policemen in question were promptly suspended but further actions are awaited.

“The police have been especially told to not harass citizens during search. They’ve been told to properly carry out their search,” said Fakhrul Imam, a member of the committee.

Police officials told the meeting said they were unwilling to take responsibility for the actions of a few, said an official requesting anonymity.

 “Necessary steps for investigation were taken in case of every complaint. Those who come out accused will not escape our actions.”

“The police need to be very careful because there’s an ongoing attempt to taint their image,” said Awami League leader Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon.