"The police in foreign countries, including the US and the UK, work independently, but in Bangladesh they are under government control," DMP Commissioner SM Mizanur Rahman said while exchanging views with crime reporters at Rajarbagh Telecom Auditorium in the city.

Explaining the present situation, he said the police have to spend more time maintaining law and order during political programmes than curbing crimes.

Acknowledging that there is an increase in incidents of mugging and drug peddling in the city, the DMP commissioner said youths from elite families nowadays are even engaged in mugging incidents.

They are also adopting new methods and strategies to commit crimes in order to avoid police, he said.

To cope with such a situation, more plainclothes policemen have been deployed and vigilance has been increased, he added.

Referring to the increase in drug peddling in the city, he said 48 cases, out of 72, were filed in this connection on Tuesday alone.

The DMP commissioner also criticised some police officials who try to suppress information relating to crimes and corruption. He asked all the police officers to disclose such information to the media.

He also said five more police stations in the city will be inaugurated next week.