Lack of proper training, modern weapons main obstacle

As the training facility in the country is very limited, the law enforcement agencies have failed to ensure human security, he said at 'Bangladesh Sanglap', a live special discussion programme on BBC Bangla Service.

'Security: Are the people being served and protected?' was the topic of the discussion held at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.

Replying to a question, MK Anwar, also the vice-chairman of ruling BNP, said the incidents of bomb explosions have started during the tenure of previous Awami League government and about 100 people were killed in the bomb attacks, but the then government failed to submit any charge sheet in those cases.

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, said political use of the police is the main reason why they cannot function properly.

"We need to invest more in our police force to modernise them," he said.

Criminalisation of politics is the main reason for the present situation, he added.

Dr Shahdeen Malik, director of Law School, BRAC University, said using the law enforcement agencies to kill criminals is a bad decision of the government.

ASM Shahjahan, former inspector general of police, said, "Our law is like a spider's web through which the big criminals can escape easily, but only the general people are caught."

He called for stopping political pressure on police and increasing resources and the number of police for better functioning of the agency.

Former home minister Rafiqul Islam, Bir Uttam, suggested not using the army to combat terrorism. Instead, the government should ensure good governance and modernise the law enforcement agencies, he said.