Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday directed law enforcement agencies to maintain absolute neutrality while performing election duties, warning them against accepting any unethical benefits, favours or hospitality from political parties.
“Police are not protectors of any political party, rather they are government employees who are paid by taxpayers' money. The main responsibility of the police force is to serve the people and ensure the rule of law,” he said.
The Home Adviser came up with the information while speaking at the passing-out parade of Assistant Superintendents of Police at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi.
Referring to the election-time duties, the adviser said the protection of human dignity and the rule of law largely depended on the conduct of field-level police personnel.
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“Peace cannot be established by the use of force alone without gaining public trust. The law enforcers are fully prepared to ensure a free, fair and neutral upcoming national parliamentary election as nearly one lakh police personnel have been given special training to ensure election security,” he added.
If any chaos created at polling centres during the election, it must be dealt with firmly in line with the advice of the returning officers, he said.
Claiming that Bangladesh Police is not an ordinary force, the adviser said police should act as a servant of the state and the people.
Mentioning corruption as the biggest enemy of the state, the adviser said corruption destroys an institution from within and undermines public trust. If any police officer neglects their duties for personal gain or political advantage, they weaken the very foundation of the state.
Police officers may face various pressures and criticism in their professional lives, but honesty and patriotism can overcome all obstacles, he said.
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The adviser also urged the police to build a corruption-free, impartial, humane, courageous and proud police force by upholding the sacrifices of the people and the expectations of future generations.
A total of 96 trainee officers of the 41st BCS (Police) batch, which began training on February 15, last year, formally entered their professional careers through the passing-out parade.
Besides, 87 trainees from the 41st BCS (Police) batch, one trainee from the 28th BCS, three from the 35th BCS, one from the 36th BCS, two from the 37th BCS and two from the 40th BCS were also present there.