Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has praised the bravery and courageous role of police, saying that they are working to keep the country's law and order situation stable.

The government is working to make the force advanced and modern, said the minister, while speaking at a programme on the occasion of Police Memorial Day 2019, at Mirpur Police Staff College in Dhaka yesterday.

Since 2017, law enforcers have been observing the day on March 1 to honour policemen who laid down their lives while performing their duties.

Around 158 policemen died in 2018 while maintaining law and order, combating crime and arresting criminals.

The home minister handed over Tk 50,000, a certificate, a crest and complimentary gifts to the family members of each police personnel killed while on duty in 2018. While accepting the gifts, the family members became emotional. 

Asaduzzaman said that family members of the deceased police officials requested for job and ration facilities.

“We have noted their demands and would sincerely look into it. If they are eligible, they would definitely get jobs,” said the minister.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammad Javed Patwary presided over the ceremony.

The police chief said, “We have provided jobs to police officials' family members earlier and police superintendents have already been directed to give the slain law enforcers' families priority in recruitment.”

Presently, the manpower of police force has crossed two lakh and a number of people have sacrificed their lives while maintaining law and order, said the IGP.

“We have already proposed to the prime minister to enhance the compensation for policemen who died or were killed while on duty, and the PM also assured us positively,” he said. 

Family of a police official presently gets Tk 5 lakh if they die and Tk 2 lakh for severe injuries.

Policemen placed a demand to increase the compensation to Tk 8 lakh in case of death and Tk 4 lakh for severe injuries while on duty.

The compensation should be Tk 15 lakh in case of death and Tk 8 lakh for grievous injuries while in action, law enforcers further demanded.

Earlier, the home minister and police high-ups placed wreaths at the memorial seeking eternal peace of the departed souls and extended condolences to family members of the deceased. They also made a gun salute and observed a minute of silence on the occasion.

CMP PLACES SAME DEMAND

Meanwhile, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Md Mahbubor Rahman yesterday demanded that the facilities for police personnel who die while on duty be increased, reports our staff correspondent from Chattogram.

“Policing is not like the other profession. We work hard to keep people safe. If persons from other forces die on duty, their families are given flats, cash, and other facilities. Banks and insurance companies also extend support. Then why will the police force not be entitled to such facilities?” said the CMP chief.

He was addressing a programme in observance of Police Memorial Day 2019 at Halishahar District Police Lines.

Chattogram District Police organised the programme at Police Civil Centre.

Chittagong University Vice Chancellor Prof Iftekhar Uddin Ahmed was present as the chief guest.

Presided by Deputy Inspector General Golam Faruk of Chattogram Range, CMP Additional Commissioner (Admin) Kusum Dewan, Additional Range DIGs Abul Faiz and Rokon Uddin and other police officials were also present.

Addressing as special guest, the CMP boss also said they will get inspired more to perform duties if such facilities are introduced.

“Police have been working to curb drug and militancy risking their lives. We want the state to stand by us,” said the CMP commissioner.

DIG Golam Faruk expressed concern over poor facility for police personnel.