Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said the recent retirements and transfers in the police administration are part of the ministry’s routine activities and are not politically motivated.
“All appointments, transfers, promotions, disciplinary measures and retirements are being carried out through legal processes,” the minister told reporters after a meeting of the National Committee on Coordination, Management and Law and Order of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals at the secretariat.
He said that such administrative activities are ongoing processes with no fixed timeframe.
On the issue of forced retirements, the home minister said decisions were taken after scrutiny by an internal committee. These steps, he added, were implemented in line with regulations to ensure that no injustice is done.
His comments came a day after 16 deputy inspector generals (DIGs) and an additional DIG were sent into forced retirement.
Salahuddin said the administration had inherited a “fragile and chaotic state”, but insisted the government was moving in the right direction to restore public order.
“This government, formed through a democratic and transparent election, has the full mandate of the people,” he said, adding that a strict legal stance was being maintained to improve law and order.
Speaking about criminals released on bail after August 5, 2024, the home minister said obtaining bail is a matter for the courts, but the police remain vigilant. He warned that criminals would not be allowed to create disorder and said the law would take its course in all cases.
Anti-drug drive, police uniform
Salahuddin said a special joint operation against drugs, illegal arms and extortion was launched on May 1. The Department of Narcotics Control, police, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and intelligence agencies are working in coordination to target drug kingpins and smuggling syndicates.
“A zero-tolerance policy has been adopted to eliminate this dire drug situation,” he said.
Regarding police's uniform, he said, “We have noticed that no one is satisfied with the existing uniform -- both within the police force and across the country. It has not been widely accepted. Therefore, following a proposal from the police, we considered the matter.”
“We considered how a traditional uniform could be provided. The earlier shirt has been retained for metropolitan police and nationwide use. However, khaki trousers have been introduced,” he added.
Drug smuggling around Rohingya camps
Regarding the estimated 12 to 14 lakh Rohingya living in Ukhiya and Teknaf, the home minister said a coordinated action plan has been put in place to maintain discipline and prevent drug smuggling inside and outside the refugee camps.
The high-level meeting was attended by Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and other members of the committee.
