‘Conspirators’ exist in police and media, IGP says

Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir today warned of “conspirators” within the police force and among journalists, urging everyone to stand united against them.

"There are conspirators among you [journalists] and among us [police] as well. They are all over Bangladesh. Let us all stand united against conspirators," the police chief said while speaking to journalists.

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He was speaking after attending a cleanliness campaign titled "My City, My Country: Bangladesh Will Change Through Cleanliness", organised by Community Bank Bangladesh at Rajarbagh Police Lines School and College in Dhaka this morning.

The IGP also said the entire police force should not be blamed for irregularities and corruption committed by a small section of its members.

"I once said not even one percent of our force is bad. The media then began reporting that I was trying to justify irregularities in the police. I later proved through analysis that only 0.70 percent among us are involved in crime. Not even one percent. Why should my entire police force take the blame for that small number of corrupt members?" he said.

Ali Hossain urged journalists to report crimes and irregularities but refrain from spreading false allegations that could undermine the morale of police personnel.

"Whenever we start taking action against any major injustice, crime or irregularity, various rumours are spread against us, and false accusations are made. This is a kind of yellow journalism. I would urge good journalists, who are 99 percent of all journalists, to stand up against it," he said.

"If we commit any crime, write about it. But do not spread false accusations and break the morale [of police]," he added.

Earlier, while attending another programme of the same cleanliness campaign at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, the IGP spoke about the difficulties police face in dealing with repeat offenders.

"We are conducting drives against muggers and drugs. Every drug dealer and mugger has been brought under the law multiple times. But due to loopholes in the law, we have not been able to keep them detained," he said.

He said offenders often exploit legal loopholes to get out and become involved in the same crimes again.

"To prevent these things, we need people's cooperation. Because there is only one police member for every 1,000 people. Therefore, law enforcement needs to be carried out by involving people from all sections of society," he added.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Abdus Salam, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosleh Uddin, officials of Community Bank Bangladesh, and teachers and students were present at the programmes, among others.