Dhaka: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today urged the police to rebuild public trust in the force, emphasizing the pivotal role the law enforcement agency must play in ensuring a free and fair election. Speaking at the inaugural session of Police Week-2025 at Rajarbagh Police Auditorium, he highlighted the need to bridge the gap that has developed between the police and the public over the past 16 years.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Prof Yunus acknowledged the existing challenges faced by the police, such as manpower shortages, logistic constraints, and limited budgets. Despite these obstacles, he stressed the importance of reconnecting with the community and regaining their confidence, promising government support to help the police achieve this goal.
Prof Yunus reiterated his previous statements that the next general elections are expected to occur between December this year and June 2026, underscoring the critical role of the police in maintaining a peaceful and fair electoral process. He emphasized the collective responsibility of all parties to create an environment conducive to free voting and called on the police to remain impartial towards all candidates.
Reflecting on the state of the law enforcement agencies when the interim government took power last August, Prof Yunus described their condition as fragile, with a significant disconnect from the public. He detailed the government’s efforts to improve the situation, including measures to alleviate public inconveniences, conducting special operations, and providing mental health support to police officers.
Prof Yunus praised the police for their efforts in ensuring peaceful celebrations of events like Durga Puja, Bishwa Ijtema, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Bangla Nababarsha, attributing the nation’s stable law and order to their diligent work. He also called for the police to intensify their efforts in combatting violence against women, ensuring that women from all walks of life can rely on police support via dedicated hotlines.
Touching on the historical contribution of the police during the liberation war, he recalled the armed resistance by Bengali police members at Rajarbagh Police Lines on March 25, 1971, a significant moment in Bangladesh’s fight for independence. Prof Yunus paid tribute to the martyred police members and stressed the importance of the law enforcement agencies in realizing the people’s long-held aspirations for equality and rights.
He criticized the past misuse of the police force under the autocratic regime, which led to public distrust and called on the police to resist being manipulated by any political entities. Prof Yunus emphasized the necessity of a fair and neutral election to prevent future misuse of the police force and urged vigilance against any attempts to destabilize the country before the polls.
Concluding his address, Prof Yunus described the police as friends of the common people, urging them to uphold this reputation despite challenges. He expressed a vision for a discrimination-free, democratic Bangladesh, inspired by the July mass uprising, and encouraged the police to seize this opportunity to contribute to building a just and equitable society. Following his speech, the Chief Adviser engaged in discussions with police officers at the Rajarbagh Police Auditorium.