PM urges police to ensure no fascist force can ever use them against people

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday urged members of the police force to pledge that no fascist or authoritarian force would ever again be able to use them against the country and its people.

Addressing the the inauguration ceremony of Police Week-2026 at Rajarbagh Police Lines, he also called on police personnel to work with full dedication to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property, reports UNB.

“Standing on this soil stained with the blood of police personnel at the very dawn of independence, let us pledge anew today so that no more fascist or authoritarian force can again use police members against the country and the freedom of its people,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the present government, elected through the people’s mandate after the 2024 mass uprising led by students and the public following more than one and a half decades of anti-fascist democratic movements, represents the aspirations of freedom-loving and democracy-seeking citizens.

Tarique Rahman said people who endured repression, attacks, cases and deprivation over the years now expect peace and security under the democratic government.

“Ensuring peace and security for the people largely depends on your activities and the role of the police. You must use all your ability and capacity to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property. This is what the government expects from you,” he added.

Recalling the history of Rajarbagh Police Lines, the Prime Minister paid tribute to police personnel killed during the Pakistani military crackdown on the night of March 25, 1971, under Operation Searchlight.

“This is the historic Rajarbagh Police Lines where the occupation forces carried out a brutal attack on sleeping police personnel and killed hundreds of them,” he said.

He said remembering the sacrifices of police members alone was not enough and stressed that protecting the country’s independence at any cost remains a sacred duty.

The Prime Minister also mentioned the resistance put up by police members at Rajarbagh and the declaration of revolt by Ziaur Rahman in Chattogram during the Liberation War.

However, Tarique Rahman said several questions regarding aspects of the Liberation War still remain unanswered.

He questioned the rationale behind the political leadership’s decision to keep all police personnel stationed together at Rajarbagh Police Lines while thousands of troops were being brought into Dhaka daily from West Pakistan amid growing anticipation of independence in March 1971.

“I think this may still be an important subject of research for those who continue to study Bangladesh’s independence and the Liberation War,” Tarique Rahman said.

The Prime Minister praised the parade displayed during the programme, saying it demonstrated the discipline, dignity, responsibility and commitment of police members toward building a better future.

“The 13th parliamentary election proved that the Bangladesh Police are capable of performing their duties with professionalism and efficiency,” Tarique Rahman said.

He also highlighted the contribution of Bangladesh Police in UN peacekeeping missions, saying police personnel have earned international recognition for professionalism, courage and humanity.

“The role of female police members in the UN peacekeeping mission has also been hailed internationally. The people of the country also expect humane behaviour from the police, not only abroad but at home as well,” he added.

The Prime Minister thanked members of the police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) who participated in the parade and wished success for Police Week-2026.

Earlier, he formally inaugurated the four-day event being held under the theme “Amar Police, Amar Desh, Sobar Age Bangladesh” (My Police, My Country, Bangladesh First).

Tarique Rahman inspected the Bangladesh Police parade in an open jeep and received the salute.

Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar commanded this year’s parade, where different police contingents presented colourful displays.

Prime Minister’s wife Zubaida Rahman was also present at the programme.

Later, Tarique Rahman and Zubaida Rahman visited a stall set up by the Bangladesh Police Women Welfare Association.

The programme began with the playing of the national anthem.

Ministers, lawmakers, diplomats, senior police officials, metropolitan police commissioners, range deputy inspectors general and district superintendents of police attended the event.

The Prime Minister arrived at the venue at 8:56am and was received by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir and Parade Committee President Additional IGP AKM Awlad Hossain.