Govt goes for intense drive amid crime rise
CA expresses concern at recent spate of sensational murders
Staff Correspondent
The government yesterday ordered the law enforcement agencies to better coordinate and intensify their operations in the wake of deterioration of the law and order marked by the recent spate of high-profile murders.Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed gave the directive at a high-level special meeting at his office, which was attended by the cabinet and home secretaries as well as the heads of law enforcement agencies. He also ordered the formation a "coordination committee" to better exchange inter-agency information before and during operations. The law enforcement agencies were also asked to hold regular coordination meetings and take short and long-term measures to curb crimes. In the two-hour meeting, the CA asked the law enforcement agencies to step up their "physical presence" in crime-prone areas and public places such as railway stations, bus and launch terminals. The meeting was called in light of recent incidents such as the murder of Supreme Court lawyer Sayma last week and the murders of law enforcement agency officials and a Bangladesh Bank official. However, Inspector General of Police Nur Mohammad told the meeting that the overall crime rate has gone down in recent months despite a number of high-profile murders in the country. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim later told the press that Fakhruddin called the meeting, as he was concerned about media reports on the recent incidents of murder, especially in the capital. "People must be safe and secure and it is the duty of the law enforcement agencies to ensure their security," Fakhruddin is quoted to have told the meeting. Fahim, who was present at the meeting, also said the chief adviser asked the law enforcement agencies to disseminate information and statistics to the media to apprise the people of the latest developments. He also asked them to launch public awareness campaigns to stop people from becoming easy victims. Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumder, Home Secretary Abdul Karim, Director General of SSF Maj Gen Sheikh M Manirul Islam, Director General of NSI Major General Tajul Islam, Inspector General of Police Nur Mohammad, Director General of RAB Hasan Mahmud, Additional IGP (SB) Baharul Alam and DMP Police Commissioner Noyeem Ahmed attended the meeting.
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