Chief adviser asks for a ‘command centre’ to monitor law and order

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday directed police and law enforcement agencies to create a command centre to intensively monitor law and order situation in the country.

The chief adviser gave the instructions while reviewing the law and order situation at a high-level meeting with security chiefs at the State Guest House Jamuna, said a spokesperson of the CA.

The meeting was also attended by Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retired) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Special Assistant to Chief Adviser Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, Home Secretary Nasimul Gani and chiefs of police, BGB, RAB, DMP, Coast Guard and Special Branch.

The chief adviser said the security agencies must make maximum use of the latest communication tools to make sure they can quickly intervene in a situation.

"We have to set up a command centre or a command headquarters, which will coordinate among all the police and security agencies," he told senior security officials.

He said the new command structure would "skilfully and intensively" communicate among all agencies, police stations across the country and all law enforcing authorities.

He ordered the security chiefs to stay vigilant against any attempt to disrupt the law and order situation in Bangladesh.

"We have to be as alert as if we were in a war-like situation. This year is a very critical year for the country. We must not allow anyone to create chaos and anarchy," he said.

The chief adviser said the cronies of the ousted autocrat, Sheikh Hasina, were spending a huge amount of money to attempt to foment anarchy and spread disinformation.

"We must stay vigilant. Everyone should fight against this disinformation menace," he said.

He ordered the security chiefs to protect the human rights of every citizen and take special measures to thwart any attacks on religious or ethnic minorities.

"Our global image will be badly damaged if we can't protect our religious minorities. We will also have to be very transparent in this regard," he said.

The chief adviser also ordered police to launch a crackdown on extortionists in an effort to keep prices of food and essential commodities stable during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam said police have set up 10 teams to monitor the murder cases filed over the atrocities and killings by Hasina's security forces during July and August.

The chief adviser directed police to fast-track these cases and to make sure that no innocent people are harassed by these cases.

Chief of Police Baharul Alam said Bangladesh has moved a request to Interpol in an effort to issue a red notice on Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India during the mass uprising. "We've made a request. We hope we will get some response soon," said.

DMP commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjad Ali said mugging and snatching incidents in the capital have declined after police stepped up security. "Our efforts will continue," he said.

The chief adviser also directed police across the country to introduce online filing of cases.

Currently, an FIR can only be filed after a visit to the nearest police station. The procedure is cumbersome and leaves opportunities for abuse.

Professor Yunus said police should set up a dedicated call number -- like 999 -- to enable complainants to file a First Information Report from any part of the country.

"This will reduce the hassles our people face when they file a case," he said, directing the national police chief, Baharul Alam, to launch a new phone number for online FIR filing as early as possible.

The chief adviser has also directed the police chief to set up a dedicated call centre to answer queries on online filing of cases.

"People who would struggle to file a case online, can easily take help from the call centre," he said.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com