Round-Table Discussion on Police Stations
A round table discussion on Diagnostic Study on Police Stations was held on 4 March under the auspices of TIB, prompting leading civil society members to call for immediate reforms of the police force. Held at the capital's CIRDAP Auditorium, the report was presented by the TIB Director Dr. Iftekhar Hossain and Research Associate Md. Abdul Alim.
About 98.5 percent residents of metropolises and vast majority at district and upazila levels are equally dissatisfied with the service of police, the report revealed. Police should be at the service of people and act as a friend and service provider, but the law-enforcers have now emerged as "repressors, corrupt, human rights violators", it added.
Commenting on the findings of the survey, speakers sought a proactive role of the civil society to make police efficient. They expressed concern over the 'over-performance' of the police, who they said usually did not perform according to the law.
Presided over by TIB Chairman Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid, Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain, Prof Muzaffar Ahmed, Member, TIB Board of Trustees, Former law minister Abdul Matin Khasru, Ruling BNP legislator Abdul Mannan, Opposition Chief Whip Abdus Shaheed, Awami League Whip Faruk Khan, former cabinet secretary Mojibul Houqe, former secretary Dr Shawkat Ali and former inspector general of police Golam Kibria, among others took part in the discussion.
The study suggested reforms in the 1861 police regulation act, to raise the salaries of policemen, recruit adequate police, end the use of police for political purposes, activate the monitoring system and providing them with modern equipment and introduce a computerized data processing system.
Volunteers' Meeting
A TIB volunteers' meeting was held at the Mymensingh CCC office on 10 March. The theme of the meeting was "Women's Rights in Bangladesh". Advocate Rokeya Begum, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Mymensingh unit was present as chief guest. Member of CCC Mymensingh Kanij Gofrani Koraishi (Kanti) and Niamul Kabir Sajal were present as special guests. Thirty volunteers spontaneously discussed the issue and expressed their interest to work alongside TIB. A cultural program was also arranged at the end of meeting. A similar meeting was held at Community Development Library (CDL) of Nalitabari on 8 March. Convenor of CCC Nalitabari M A Hakam Hira presided over the meeting.
