Home Affairs Advisers Lieutenant General (retd) Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday said the country’s police stations must be transformed into centres of public trust. “Police stations must be designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment where citizens can seek assistance without fear. Officers should exhibit polite behaviour towards citizens, making police activities more people-friendly, efficient and relevant to current needs,” he said. The adviser made the remarks while addressing a meeting with officials from various law enforcement and administrative bodies, including the Armed Forces Division, Chattogram Range Police, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, Immigration and Passport Department, Prisons Directorate, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and Department of Narcotics Control. The meeting was held at the Dampara Police Lines in Chattogram. The adviser stressed strengthening community policing to address issues such as traffic congestion and crime control. He said 700 students in the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) area have already been trained and deployed for traffic management. “Discussions are underway to engage retired personnel from the armed forces, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who have experience in traffic control, within a set age limit.” Political affiliation will not be considered in police verification for government jobs: Reform Commission Chief To mitigate traffic congestion in major cities, the adviser suggested designating open spaces for public gatherings, and highlighted that Suhrawardy Udyan has already been allocated for such purposes in Dhaka, and similar arrangements should be made for Chattogram and other cities. He instructed that no public gatherings should be held in metropolitan areas without prior permission. Regarding concerns about rising crimes, the adviser expressed alarm over top criminals securing bail and re-engaging in unlawful activities. He asked law enforcement agencies to immediately re-arrest such people and place them under strict surveillance. On the issue of growing cybercrime and misinformation on social media, he called for heightened vigilance and action against offenders. The adviser remarked that while there have been improvements in law and order since August 5, the situation may not yet meet public expectations. He directed the police to focus on their primary responsibilities and reduce involvement in protocol duties. While briefing journalists following the meeting, the adviser urged the media to report truthfully. "Our media has a reputation for integrity, unlike some neighbouring countries where misinformation is rampant," he said, adding that the Bangladeshi press must counter such false narratives. Responding to questions about a recently docked ship from Pakistan, the adviser clarified that the ship had arrived from a Middle Eastern country, with necessary permissions, carrying essential Ramadan goods such as dates and onions. He questioned why there should be objections to such shipments, adding, "Spreading  rumours about these matters is an act of hostility towards the nation." The meeting, presided over by CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz, was attended by several senior officials, including Inspector General of Police Mohammad Maynul Islam, RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman, DIG of Chattogram Range Md Ahsan Habib Palash, Additional Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Nurullah Nuri, and Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said that now is the time for the police force to prove themselves by providing service.  “The interim government is a non-political one. With the absence of political influence, there is opportunity to work with honesty, efficiency, and impartiality. The police force should utilise this opportunity to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation,” he said. The adviser made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at a views exchange meeting with members of the Armed Forces Division, various police units, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, Prisons Department, Fire Service and Civil Defense Department, and Narcotics Control Department at the Barishal Police Lines. The adviser also emphasised the crucial role of law enforcement in controlling prices. He said, “The law enforcers play an important role in controlling the prices of goods. The members of the forces have to stop extortion and stay away from it.”  Failure to do so would tarnish the force's reputation, he said. The adviser said, “No one can be arrested in civil clothes. No one can be brought under the law without identity.”  The adviser also mentioned that the condition of police stations, including food and sanitation facilities, was not satisfactory. He directed senior officials to focus on resolving these issues for police personnel. He said the armed forces had been granted magisterial power to assist in maintaining law and order, adding, “The term would be extended further and the BGB and Coast Guard would be included.”  While briefing reporters after the meeting, the adviser said, “The current government is trying to transform the police into a people-friendly force. To this end, efforts such as the formation of a police reform commission are ongoing.” He remarked that the law and order situation in Barishal is relatively better compared to other areas. He further instructed the police to be more vigilant in preventing various public disturbances, including road blockades due to various demands.  Inspector General of Police Md Moinul Islam, Director General of RAB A.K.M. Shahidur Rahman, Divisional Commissioner of Barishal Md Raihan Kawser, were present at the time, among others.  

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said fire service stations will be constructed soon in a bid to ensure the presence of firefighters in every upazila of the country. “At present, there is no fire service station in 32 upazilas. Fire service stations will be set up in these upazilas as soon as possible,” he said. The home affairs adviser said this while exchanging views with officials and employees during his visit to the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence in the capital’s Fulbaria area. Concern mounts as Chandpur lacks proper fire equipment amid violation of building code He said necessary steps would be taken to address the manpower crisis of this department. Noting that the risk allowance for fire fighters is less than law enforcement agencies, said the issue of increasing risk allowance for the members of the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence would also be considered. The adviser urged the officers and employees of the department to work upholding their reputation. He said a site has been fixed for the training academy of the Fire Service and Civil Defence Department at Gajaria of Munshiganj district, though the site has not been made ready for the academy. “It will be made training-friendly as soon as possible.” Fire in Barishal SBMCH: Overcrowded Old building strains to provide adequate care Director General of the Department Brigadier General Muhammad Jahed Kamal was present. Earlier, the Home Affairs Adviser visited an exhibition of various equipment used by the firefighters there.

The government has significantly increased its budget for the Durga Puja festival this year, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Saturday. Talking to reporters during a visit to the Santoshpara Durga Mandir Puja Mandap in Rashunia union of Sirajdikhan upazila, he said that previous allocations ranged from Tk 2 to 3 crore, while this year’s budget stands at Tk 4 crore. Dr Yunus exchanges greetings with Hindu community at Dhakeswari Temple Chowdhury also said that security measures for the festival have been enhanced compared to previous years. “A large number of law enforcement personnel, including the army, RAB and police, have been deployed to maintain order at Puja Mandaps,” he added. Earlier, on Saturday, the Home Adviser visited another Puja Mandap in Srinagar upazila. Police action taken in 35 isolated incidents centring Durga Puja, 17 arrested: IGP Dhaka Range DIG AKM Awlad Hossain, Deputy Commissioner Fatematul Jannat, Superintendent of Police Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar, Sirajdikhan Upazila Executive Officer Sabbir Ahmed and OC Khandkar Hafizur Rahman, among others, accompanied the adviser.