Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner SM Sazzat Ali on Thursday said that people would have to guard their neighbourhoods again if police鈥檚 morale was broken.
鈥業f the morale of my officers is broken, people will have to guard the neighbourhood again, just like they, including old men, guarded the neighbourhood with bamboo sticks鈥� said the commissioner, referring to the situation following the July uprising in August 5, 2024.
He made the remarks after inaugurating the Cyber Support Centre of the Detective Branch of DMP on Old Elephant Road in the capital.
Speaking about disrespectful and unruly behaviour towards police members during the recent police actions in the city, the commissioner said, 鈥榃hen the police were trying to prevent anarchy, what kind of treatment was given to my officers? It is very unfortunate... We do not want to get involved in conflict. We want to provide service.鈥�
鈥楾he thing you wanted to do, would create an anarchic environment in society, in Dhaka city, and in the country, he said.
鈥楢n uprising has taken place. It will create unrest in society if such activities recur now,鈥� said the commissioner, adding that the police officials do not expect such behaviour from educated and conscious people.
He made the remarks days after a series of clashes occurred between law enforcers and a group of people who attempted to demolish the remnants of the country鈥檚 founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman鈥檚 house at Dhanmondi 32 over the verdict against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.
Referring to miscreants鈥� crude bomb explosion on Wednesday near Pallabi police station which left one police personnel injured, Sazzat said that such act ruins police鈥檚 attitude and causes sufferings for all.
Sazzat urged the group to refrain from trying to test police鈥檚 capability by mischiefs and throwing crude bombs.
He also warned the groups saying that police would take strict actions against them to ensure law and order situation in the city.
About the cyber support centre, he said that the centre would consist of a modern technology lab, a skilled investigation team, digital forensic experts and a 24-hour response team.
Crimes like online fraud, digital harassment, defamation and online gambling are threatening people鈥檚 personal safety and financial security nowadays and the DMP is working to increase its capacity to control such crimes, said the commissioner.
There will be special initiatives to resolve complaints of harassment of women and teenagers on social media quickly, he stated.
