Rangpur DIG calls for stronger coordination
Rangpur Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mohammad Abdul Mabud has called for stronger coordination among government agencies and effective measures to prevent crime, protect public and government property, and ensure public services.
He made the call at a coordination meeting of the Rangpur Divisional Development Committee held at the conference room of the Divisional Commissioner’s Office on Thursday.
Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam, NDC, chaired the meeting. Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Mahbubur Rashid, deputy commissioners of the division’s eight districts, senior officials of various government departments and journalists attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed strengthening coordination among government agencies, ensuring public services, protecting government property, preventing crime and conducting activities in accordance with the law.
The DIG stressed the need for coordinated efforts with relevant government agencies to prevent crimes, identify offenders and maintain a stable law-and-order situation.
He said police would work closely with different government departments to address crimes involving government property, infrastructure, public services and natural resources.
Regarding the Public Works Department, the meeting decided to coordinate with relevant authorities to prevent encroachment on government buildings and land, theft, vandalism and damage to government property. Surveillance would also be strengthened at vulnerable installations.
Coordination with the Roads and Highways Department would focus on preventing illegal occupation of road and highway land, extortion and road blockades, as well as maintaining order at accident-prone locations.
The meeting also discussed protecting rural roads, bridges and development projects under the Local Government Engineering Department from theft and vandalism. Police and relevant authorities would exchange information and take legal measures to safeguard government projects.
Joint measures would be taken with the Bangladesh Water Development Board to prevent damage to rivers, embankments and water-control infrastructure, illegal sand extraction and encroachment on government property.
The Bangladesh Power Development Board and Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board would receive police assistance in preventing electricity theft, illegal connections, sabotage, theft of transformers and electrical equipment, and other offences affecting power supply.
The meeting also called for closer coordination with the Department of Public Health Engineering to protect water-supply infrastructure, deep tube wells and government water facilities from theft, vandalism and illegal occupation.
Regarding the health sector, the DIG stressed timely access to medical certificates, medical reports and other necessary evidence in criminal cases. Coordination would also be strengthened to ensure hospital security and facilitate criminal investigations.
The meeting further discussed cooperation with the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation and Department of Agricultural Marketing to prevent fraud against farmers, adulterated agricultural inputs, illegal stockpiling and smuggling of fertiliser and seeds, artificial shortages, market manipulation and overcharging.
Police and the Directorate General of Drug Administration would work together to prevent theft and illegal sale of government medicines, counterfeit drugs and misuse of medicines.
Coordination with the Department of Livestock Services and Department of Fisheries would focus on preventing livestock theft and smuggling, illegal slaughter, illegal fishing, use of banned fishing nets and other crimes involving fisheries resources.
The Food Department would receive police assistance in preventing theft, illegal stockpiling and smuggling of government food grains, manipulation of weights and irregularities in food distribution. Security at food warehouses would also be strengthened.
The meeting also discussed preventing fraud and embezzlement involving social safety-net allowances, violations of consumer rights, environmental offences, illegal brick kilns, pollution, encroachment on forest land, illegal tree felling and timber smuggling.
Speaking about the need for coordinated action, DIG Mohammad Abdul Mabud said, “Alongside the police, the effective role of all relevant government departments is extremely important for ensuring public safety, protecting government property and combating crime.”
“Public services must be ensured through mutual coordination, rapid exchange of information and responsible performance of duties within the respective legal jurisdictions,” he said.
The DIG instructed police units under the Rangpur Range to maintain regular communication with government departments, collect crime-related information, provide necessary police assistance and continue coordination in carrying out lawful activities.
