Be professional, patient, humane: IGP to police
IGP said a standard operating procedure has been prepared detailing what police are to do and what not to do while restricting people’s movement to curb coronavirus spread
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Mohammad Javed Patwary on Sunday instructed the police to be professional, patient and humane with people while enforcing restrictions on movement.
"We have prepared a standard operating procedure detailing what the police are to do and what not to do. I am telling each of you [police] to act professionally, patiently and humanely," the IGP told a press conference at police headquarters on Sunday.
According to several media reports in the last few days, policemen hit people with batons in Tangail, Rajbari, Chattogram, Dinajpur, and in some areas in the capital.
There are allegations that people who left home to buy essential items, including an on-duty medical officer, were among those attacked.
The IGP on Sunday elaborated on measures to pull in the reins.
"I have personally established connections with all units through video conferencing, phone call and mobile text. The high-ups are being updated around the clock," said Dr Patwary.
"It is not just us ─ the whole world is going through a crisis. We will win this war together," said the police chief.
He expressed concern over rumors and fake news circulating globally over the coronavirus spread. "Detectives and cybercrime team of police are working to curb rumors. Steps have already been taken against some people, and a few IDs used to spread false information have been shut down," he added.
Focusing on the police's efforts to tackle the spread of the novel coronavirus, the police chief said they have distributed leaflets and set up banners for awareness building.
He also said that the police are working to enforce the mandatory 14-day home quarantine for returnees from abroad. We have also provided the district administrations with a list of names of the returnees so that they can be monitored closely.
"We talked to the returnees at their homes without even having sufficient protective gear," the IGP detailed police measures to curb coronavirus spread.
"Police with personal protective gear are providing security at funerals of coronavirus suspected cases. We are also providing medical equipment for the police hospitals. We also plan to supply protective kits to general hospitals," said Dr Patwary.
He urged the people to follow health advice, and not to go out without actual necessity.
The IGP requested people who are out of the purview of the government shutdown to cooperate with the police and to show their ID cards.