The government is pledge-bound to build a country free from terrorism and corruption, he said at a meeting at Bangabhaban on the occasion of Police Week-2007.

The president said terrorists, toll collectors, lawbreakers and their patrons are the enemies of the nation. "It is one of your main duties to identify the enemies and deal with them with an iron hand," he told the police.

"The onus rests with you to promptly tackle any situation, including providing security to the people and property and maintaining law and order," he said.

"Your promptness, honesty, devotion, bravery and sense of responsibility to society and state will play a significant role in facing this challenge."

Reminding the police that their duty is service-oriented, he hoped that they would perform their duty with utmost devotion.

The neutral role of law enforcers would help improve the law and order situation greatly, the president said.

He called on the policemen to behave cordially and humanly with people in any situation so that they can regard police as their friend.

The president said a positive change of attitude from top to bottom of the police is very significant in this connection. "It has to be ensured that people are not harassed unnecessarily during the discharge of your duty," he told the policemen.

Saying that cooperation of people is very important for improving law and order, he called upon the police force to create such atmosphere that people spontaneously come forward to help others.

He advised the police force to earn people's confidence. "Once you earn their confidence, people will extend all-out cooperation," he said.

The president also stressed the need for special training for the members of the police force to "root out all conspiracies of and contacts between criminals in this era of free flow of information."

He recalled the contribution of the policemen who had sacrificed their lives while discharging their duties.

Law and Information Adviser Mainul Hosein and Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) MA Matin, Home Secretary Abdul Karim, IGP Nur Mohammad and high officials of police were present on the occasion.