Dhaka: The Home Ministry today announced the reconstitution of the Upazila Law and Order Committees throughout the country, expanding their mandate to adopt measures necessary for maintaining stability within their jurisdictions. These committees are tasked with assessing crime trends and reviewing the law and order situation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the ministry's political branch-2 issued an order stating that the committees, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) or administrative chiefs of the sub-districts, are required to meet at least once a month, with the provision to hold additional meetings if needed. The committees have been empowered to take effective steps to prevent serious crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping, acid violence, harassment of women, juvenile gang activities, human trafficking, and drug trafficking and abuse.
The order mandates that the Officer-in-Charge of the concerned police station must attend these meetings equipped with relevant data and information. Additionally, the UNOs have the authority to include up to five additional government officials or department heads as members, with prior approval from the District Magistrate, if deemed necessary.
The committees are also tasked with raising public awareness, encouraging community participation in crime prevention initiatives, and recommending necessary measures to the District Law and Order Committee to improve security conditions. The revised structure positions the UNOs as the president and parliament members as the chief adviser, while the Upazila Parishad Chairman or Administrator and Vice Chairmen (if any) will serve as advisers.
The committees include key administrative, law enforcement, and sectoral officials, such as the assistant commissioner (land), upazila health and family planning officer, agriculture officer, livestock officer, fisheries officer, local police station chiefs (OCs), primary and secondary education officers, social services officer, ansar and vdp officer, women affairs officer, and the mayor or administrator of upazila level municipalities. In regions adjacent to the southern coastlines, a representative from the Coast Guard will also be a member.
Additionally, the committees will include principals of government and private colleges, madrasah heads, head teachers of secondary schools, all Union Parishad chairmen, a nominated freedom fighter representative, the President of the Upazila Press Club, five distinguished local citizens including at least one woman, and the President of the upazila Anti-Corruption Committee.