Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir has said that a proposal has been submitted to the government to post judicial magistrates at every police station to ensure quick justice and resolve minor disputes.
“If judicial magistrates are stationed at police stations, disputes related to land or unpaid money could be resolved within seven days,” he said while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters media centre on Monday.
This would reduce people’s need to visit courts frequently and help settle small conflicts more quickly, he added.
Replying to a question, he said that one of the major challenges currently facing the police is the declining tendency among people to follow the law. “Whenever an incident occurs, people want quick justice. But investigation and judicial processes require a certain amount of time,” he said.
According to him, having judicial magistrates at police stations would allow immediate resolution of certain issues, save police time and help reduce negative perceptions about the police among the public.
Referring to recent mob violence, the IGP said police have plans to eliminate mob-related activities. Unemployment has made it easier for some people to join mobs when called upon by various groups, and some also become involved with juvenile gangs, he said.
“No respectable person is involved in such mobs. Some people take advantage of mob situations to engage in looting,” he said.
He mentioned that action is being taken against those who organise mobs and that they will be brought under the law regardless of their influence.
Regarding extortion, the IGP said a list of extortionists has been prepared and operations against them will begin soon. Measures will be taken against individuals whose names appear commonly in lists received from different intelligence agencies.
On the issue of political involvement in policing, he said police are an important part of the government but their main responsibility is to maintain law and order and serve the public.
“Regardless of political affiliation, the police are friends of the people,” he said.
He also instructed that anyone visiting a police station should be treated with respect, even if their complaint does not fall under the law. “They should at least be offered a cup of tea before leaving so that there is no complaint against the police,” he added.
Calling for time to conduct proper investigations, the IGP said solving some murder cases can take 20 to 25 years. Excessive pressure can send the wrong message and increase the risk of false confessions or incorrect charge sheets.
He said the “Joj Mia drama” had also occurred partly due to pressure from the media.
He further said action will be taken if political individuals involved with juvenile gangs are found committing crimes.
Additional IGPs AKM Aowlad Hossain (Administration), Md Akram Hossain (Finance), Mosleh Uddin Ahmed (Logistics and Asset Acquisition) and Sardar Nurul Amin (Development) were also present.