Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner said on Monday that, over the past 15 years, 80,000 to 90,000 members have been recruited into the police force based on political affiliations after verifying their identities.
He made this statement in response to a question from a journalist during a "Meet the Press" event at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road.
The DMP Commissioner explained that, over the past 15 years, various checks were carried out before recruiting members into the police force. Information was gathered about the political affiliations of the candidates, as well as their fathers, grandfathers, and even ancestors. Out of the 200,000 police members, 80,000 to 90,000 were recruited in this way.
He said, "I cannot simply tell these 80,000 to 90,000 police members to 'go home'. However, actions are being taken against those who have engaged in misconduct or unprofessional activities."
Sazzat further mentioned that when the police became inactive under changed circumstances, incidents of robbery and looting began to rise in Dhaka. During such times, even 80-year-old people would patrol with sticks. The DMP was in a state of turmoil, but then the outgoing DMP Commissioner and others worked to reactivate the police force.
Regarding the increasing incidents of snatching, the DMP Commissioner stated that he had received reports about the rise in such crimes. In response, the Detective Branch (DB) and local police stations have been mobilized to counteract snatching.
He also addressed extortion activities, stating that while it is challenging to eliminate extortion without resistance from society, the public should avoid giving in to extortion demands. "Do not pay extortion money. We, the police, will stand by the people," he emphasised.