Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday urged the police to make sure that they are not used by anyone in the next national election as the interim government is committed to holding a free, fair and peaceful election in the country.

"Remember, if a person is elected through irregularities, it is not possible to establish justice by that person. Therefore, do not be used by anyone. Dedicate yourselves to the elections as a vow to establish truth and justice," he said highlighting the role of police.

The Chief Adviser was speaking at a function marking the Police Week 2025.

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Referring to his several speeches to the nation, the Chief Adviser said he has already said the thirteenth parliamentary election will be held in the country between December this year and June next year.

"The role of police members is very important in ensuring that the election is held in a fair and peaceful manner," he said.

Prof Yunus urged the police to ensure equal treatment to all the candidates in the election and create an environment where voters can exercise their right to vote without fear or hindrance. A fair and impartial election is very important so that the police force is never used as a party force or for wrongdoing in the future, he said.

"This period before the election is a very difficult time," Prof Yunus said, urging the police members to remain vigilant so that the "defeated forces" do not get the chance to destabilise the country in any way.

He warned of the evil force which might try to break the unity. "You must always be vigilant to resist it."

After the current interim government took office, Prof Yunus said, they have seen people taking to the streets with their demands- be it justified or unjustified.

"You have demonstrated much patience in these situations. Hopefully, you will continue to work in the coming days with the same patience," he added.

Describing the police as friends of the people, Prof Yunus said the police force has to establish that image.

For the first time, a meeting will be held with religious leaders, journalists and leaders of different communities during the Police Week.

"The public's expectations on the police will be discussed in this meeting. I hope that this continues," the Chief Adviser said, highlighting the importance of such meetings regularly.

He said this is very important to reduce the distance between the police and the public.

Prof Yunus said they dream of building a discrimination-free, democratic Bangladesh based on fairness.

"The July mass uprising gave us that opportunity...let us not lose this opportunity," he said, adding that the next generation will make them responsible if this opportunity is lost.

Prof Yunus talked about their collective dream that Bangladesh will continue to stand tall as a peaceful, prosperous country in the world and reminded them of the role of police in fulfilling this dream.

He hoped that Bangladesh Police will be praised all over the world.

Prof Yunus said the people of the country want to see the police playing a very strong role in preventing violence against women.  "I urge you to work with utmost sensitivity for the safety of women and children," he said.

Prof Yunus said they will feel that Bangladesh has progressed much in terms of safety and security if the women and children get safe and secure.

The Chief Adviser urged the police to ensure that women of all classes and professions call the police hotline and get the maximum help in any harassment incident.

Acknowledging various limitations and challenges including insufficient manpower, logistics and insufficient budget, Prof Yunus said, "Our biggest challenge is to reduce the distance that has been created between the police and the people in the last 16 years, and to restore people's trust in the police force."

Starting from the field level, the law enforcement agencies at all levels will have to work to gain the trust of the people, he said.

"You will have to do this work. And we will implement everything that is required from the government side," Prof Yunus said, adding that the interim government has taken initiatives to reform the police, and urgent measures have been taken in several matters for the welfare of police members working at the grassroots level.

When the interim government took office last August, Prof Yunus said the law and order situation in this country was fragile and there was a distance between the police and the people.

"The government has taken all necessary measures to improve the situation. Necessary measures have been taken to eliminate chaos and public suffering on roads and highways, conduct special operations, strengthen police's communication with stakeholders, and increase the morale of police members," he said.

Due to tireless efforts from the police, the Chief Adviser said, various festivals including Durga Puja, Biswa Ijtema, Holy Eid-ul-Fitr and Bangla New Year have been held peacefully.

"You are trying your best to take immediate action in all the crimes that are happening in the country. With the joint efforts of the police and other forces, the law and order situation in the country has now been brought under control to a great extent," he observed.

For this, the Chief Adviser sincerely thanked all those concerned, including the police.

He extended his warmest greetings and congratulations to all the members of the Bangladesh Police on the occasion of 'Police Week 2025'.

On the eve of the Great Liberation War in 1971, on the night of March 25, police members first staged armed resistance at Rajarbagh Police Lines, Prof Yunus said.

"This is an important chapter in the glorious history of the Bangladesh Police Force," he said, paying his deepest respects to the police members who were martyred in the Great Liberation War.

The rights, dignity, and justice of all people will be established, and there will be no discrimination - this has been the aspiration of the people of the country for ages, said Prof Yunus.

And the law enforcement agencies must play a strong role in fulfilling this aspiration, he added.

During the 15 years of the dictatorial regime, Prof Yunus said, all kinds of measures were taken to turn the country's police force into a party force.

While carrying out the illegal and unjust orders of the dictatorship, the police force faced widespread public anger, Prof Yunus said, adding that many honest police members also had to pay the price for this.

At the beginning of his speech, Prof Yunus said he felt happy to meet the police members and listened to their issues.

"Listening to you, I understand that there are some unfinished tasks that we should do," he said, noting that the government had taken some immediate steps and its implementation progress will be looked into.

Prof Yunus said they will sit again to create a more supportive environment for the police members so that they can feel encouraged to work more in a dedicated way.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Inspector General of Police, Bangladesh Baharul Alam also spoke at the event.

Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor Md. Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Gani, all Metropolitan Police Commissioners, Range DIGs, District Police Superintendents and all ranks of police members were present.