Inspector general of police Md Ali Hossain Fakir on Monday said that the police had prepared a preliminary list of extortionists and crime suspects and the list was now under scrutiny.

‘We’ll conduct a drive soon after cross-checking the list,’ said the IGP while responding to a reporter over the home minister’s remarks about preparing a list to conduct a drive against extortionists and crime suspects at his maiden press conference at the Police Headquarters.

According to PHQ officials, they had received lists from different intelligence agencies, including the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, the National Security Intelligence and the Special Branch of Police.

They said that the police were cross-checking those preliminary lists, adding that common names in different lists would be finalised in coordination with the home ministry.  

Speaking about the possibility of labour unrest for wages and festival allowances ahead of Eid-ul-fitr, one of the two biggest religious festivals for the Muslims, the IGP said that they had already held discussions with the trade bodies like the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association to prevent such unrests.

Asked about the move to bring back the ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, from India, he said that the police were working with the foreign ministry in in light of diplomatic rules.

He said that they had strengthened security on highways and law enforcers would remain on high alert to ensure security of Eid homegoers.

‘We will not tolerate robberies and hijacking during Eid travels,’ he added.

He disclosed that the force was also preparing lists of people who claimed the July uprising as their own property.

‘All the police members were not perpetrators during the 2024 July uprising. Many police personnel also stood on streets in favour of the uprising,’ said Ali Hossain Fakir.

Asked about the cases over killing 44 police members in 2024, he said that the investigation into these cases was underway.

‘Victim families also filed cases over police murders and these cases are also under investigation,’ he said.

Additional inspector general of police for crime and operations, Khondoker Rafiqul Islam, among other PHQ officials, were present at the press briefing.