Over 80,000 police recruited in 15yrs based on political affiliation: DMP chief

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner  SM Sazzat Ali today said over 80,000 members of the police force were recruited after examining their political affiliation in the last 15 years. "Around 80,000-90,000 out of the two lakh members were recruited after being confirmed political affiliation of the candidates, their fathers, grandfathers and even their predecessors through various scrutinizes in the last 15 years," he said while replying to a question in his maiden press meet at the DMP media centre here.
"But, we cannot tell 80 to 90 thousand policemen to go home," he continued.

Replying to another query, the DMP chief said many of the police personnel who went beyond their professional duties have fled soon after the steps are being taken against the wrongdoers. The DMP Commissioner has sought cooperation of the city dwellers in maintaining the law and order.

At the outset of the meet the press, Sazzat expressed condolence and sympathy to all the students and people who were martyred and injured in July-August revolution.  The DMP Commissioner said that police have started serving the people in a new way after the students-people uprising.  

He said some members of Dhaka Metropolitan Police acted beyond professionalism during the July-August movement.  For this, he expressed regret and apologized to the people of Dhaka and the country.  He said that action is being taken under the existing law against those who acted beyond professionalism at that time.

Sazzat said, there are about 20 million people living in Dhaka city, adding that there are very few cities in the world with such a dense population.  “We have to provide security to 20 million people with limited resources and police personnel. It is the sacred duty of me and my colleagues to keep the people of Dhaka safe,” he said.

Referring to the traffic management of Dhaka city, the Commissioner said, an ideal city should have 25 percent roads, but there are only seven percent road facilities in Dhaka city.  “On the limited roads of Dhaka, ordinary rickshaws ply along with mechanical vehicles while an additional number of auto-rickshaws have been added. Considering the future, as auto-rickshaws are twice as large as ordinary rickshaws, he emphasized on an integrated management of their movement,” he said.

The DMP Commissioner urged the people to live near their children's schools and workplaces to reduce the use of cars on the road.  He said, “I believe that everyone's small efforts will make a big contribution to restoring order in the traffic management of the metropolis.” The DMP chief also announced that legal action will be taken if more than two people ride on a motorcycle.

In response to a question from journalists, he said that a complaint box will be opened very soon for the city residents to submit complaints on any issue related to law and order and police services.  In addition, everyone's suggestions will be taken through open discussions, he said.  The DMP Commissioner said that a special team will be announced to ensure that police services are provided at the earliest.

Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Md. Israel Howlader, Additional Police Commissioner (Logistics, Finance and Procurement) Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Khondaker Nazmul Hasan, Additional Police Commissioner S.N. Md. Nazrul Islam, and journalists from various print and electronic media were present at the meeting.