Absent police officers to be considered as criminals: Home adviser
Police officers who have not reported to duty yet will be considered as criminals, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said today (19 October).
"So far, 187 police personnel have not reported. They are no longer members of the force. They will now be considered as criminals. They will be arrested on sight," the adviser told journalists after inspecting the Border Guard Bangladesh Sector Headquarters in Rajshahi.
"The situation within the police force has improved significantly since 5 August. Although it will take time to fully recover from the trauma, progress has been made and it will continue," he added.
Regarding the arrest of suspects, the adviser said many innocent people have been falsely accused. There have been reports in the newspapers about the commercialisation of filing cases.
About corruption in agriculture, the adviser said, "There has been widespread corruption in agricultural mechanisation and fertilisers. An investigation is underway. Strict action will be taken against the culprits."
Jahangir, also the agriculture adviser, said during the 15-year rule of the "fascist" government, some people got jobs based on merit.
"Action will be taken against those who got jobs through other means. A coordinated decision will have to be made in this regard," he added.
Addressing journalists, the adviser said, "Journalists will be rewarded if they could provide information about the whereabouts of absconding influential [Awami League] leaders."