Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir has called for joint efforts by police and the public to maintain law and order and build a crime-free society. He said people would not be able to move around freely, day or night, unless the police force was strengthened.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a community policing rally against drugs, terrorism, extortion, corruption, juvenile gangs and extremism at the Bagerhat Police Lines auditorium on Sunday afternoon.

The IGP said drug dens had been established in neighbourhoods across the country over the past 17 years with government patronage. “Who will eliminate them?” he asked.

He said the country had only 215,000 police personnel and that 20,000 new personnel would be recruited this year. However, there were not enough facilities to train 20,000 recruits simultaneously, making it necessary to establish new training centres.

“There is no shortcut to a country’s development. Unless you all cooperate with the government, the country will not move forward,” he said, stressing the need for collective efforts to ensure peace, prosperity and economic development.

Regarding juvenile gangs, the IGP said special committees had been formed involving upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) and officers-in-charge (OCs) of police stations. The committees would operate from the district level down to the union level.

“People in the local community know what the boys in their neighbourhoods are doing. Information provided by them will help curb the activities of juvenile gangs,” he said.

He also said a skilled cyber unit had been established to combat cybercrime, rumours and mob violence.

Blaming unemployment for pushing young people towards crime, Ali Hossain Fakir said 2.7 million unemployed people were added to the country’s workforce each year. He added that action was also being taken against police personnel involved in drug-related activities.

“I have sent 27 police personnel to jail over drug-related offences in the past two months,” he said.

“Let the house be cleaned first; then you can clean others,” the IGP remarked, urging everyone to support anti-drug efforts by providing information to law enforcement agencies.

Representatives of civil society attending the rally expressed their commitment to working together to prevent drugs, terrorism, extortion, corruption, juvenile gangs and extremism.

The event was chaired by Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Md. Jamilur Islam. Speakers included Khulna Range Deputy Inspector General Md. Rezaul Karim, Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md. Baten, Government P.C. College Principal Professor Parvin Akter, Bagerhat Press Club President Abu Said Shunu and Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council leader Pradip Basu Shantu, among others.

Police officials at various levels, local dignitaries, elected representatives, journalists and people from different walks of life also attended the gathering.