Build a crime-free nation

"You must discharge your duties rising above all personal greed to uphold the mission of people's welfare with which you have joined the profession," she said while addressing the passing out ceremony of the probationary ASPs at Sardah Police Academy ground here yesterday.

Referring to the outstanding contributions of the police force in the War of Liberation, Khaleda said the police force is responsible for maintaining country's law and order and for protecting public life and property.

"And the patriot police force is discharging their responsibilities with utmost sincerity," she added.

The Prime Minister prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of those police members who had sacrificed their lives during the War of Liberation in 1971 and in preserving public safety.

Reminding the police force that their duties are service-oriented, she asked them to be impartial, attentive and careful and to gain professional skills through training and exercise.

She sought cooperation of all concerned in uprooting terrorism from the country, saying that the present government is pledge-bound to build a "terrorism-free Bangladesh."

Mentioning the government's multi-faceted measures in strengthening the police force, she said the budgetary allocation for police was increased to Tk 1,702 crore in fiscal 2005-06 from Tk 889 crore in FY 2000-01.

Besides, appointments were made against 14,797 newly created posts with different ranks from constable to ASP during the last four and a half year to increase the manpower and mobility of the police force, she added.

Moreover, Khaleda said the members of the police force were provided with modern arms, equipment and transport and more than 200 police officials have been sent to USA, UK, China, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and other countries for advanced training.

Listing different welfare and development works for the police force, she said 10 percent quota has been kept reserved for employment of the children and dependants of the members of the police force for the posts of constable.

She also mentioned some ongoing schemes, including creation of new units of police, construction of new barracks and in-service training centres in 30 districts, modernisation of police hospitals and reconstruction of thana buildings.

"Members of our police force have been playing a praiseworthy role in UN peacekeeping missions abroad alongside protecting life and property in the country," she said.

She added that sending of three Formed Police Units (FPU) recently to the UN mission has added a new dimension in the success of the police force.

The Prime Minister mentioned that different laws have been updated and the Police Academy manual has been amended to raise the mobility and standard of the police force.

Referring to the formation of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), she said police and Rab have earned acclamation at home and abroad with the arrest of top militant leaders and terrorists in recent times.

Khaleda said the government has already undertaken some steps in developing the Sardah Police Academy, one of the oldest police training centres in the sub-continent.

In this context, she mentioned the construction of the pucca parade ground, four new classrooms for the cadet sub-inspectors and new dining hall for the probationary ASPs.

Besides, she added, works are going on for a new academic building, a five-storied dormitory for the probationary ASPs, separate barrack for women trainees, and stable for 50 horses and a modern firing range.

The Prime Minister assured that necessary steps would be taken for setting up a modern computer lab and a language lab for improving the standard of training.

Earlier, on arrival at the academy, the Prime Minister was received by State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, Inspector General of Police M Abdul Qayyum and Principal of Sarda Police Academy Hasan Mahmud Khandaker.

A smartly turned out contingent of police, including the probationary officers, accorded a guard of honour to the Prime Minister who inspected the parade and took salute from a decorated podium.

The Prime Minister distributed trophies among the best performers during the training. Mohammad Mahbub Hasan was adjudged the best probationary officer and best rider while Moshiur Rahman as the best academic.

Some 205 probationary ASPs, including 19 females, of the 24th BCS completed the nine-month basic training course.

Ministers, MPs, senior police officials and guardians of the probationary ASPs were present on the occasion.