Local Government is a locality based government system. In our country, it’s existence was permanent in nature, although it had it’s different shape and size. In old and medieval age, this region was governed on the basis of rural institutions. These institutions mainly worked to collect revenue and maintain the economic flow of life. Perhaps, in no time, there was the autonomy of local government. The system was all along centralized. But behind the system the social council was enacted time to time. The past chaukiders are presently called the village police. In 1880’s law and order situation began to deteriorate. During the time, agitation among farmers and general crimes were in increasing trend. To minimize the situation, the chaukideri act 1870 has been amended through 1892 act 1(BC).The objective of the act was to promote the social dignity of the chaukiders. At that time the people from the lower strata were empowered as chaukider. So they were not properly treated and valued. For management of this system the magistrates raised a fund known as chaukideri village management fund. By delegation of power, they were entrusted with job by DC or police super under whose supervision they were supposed to work. The chaukiders were given the responsibility to work for social peace and to assist police and other agencies as and when directed by the competent authority. Many steps were taken previously but nothing could form a good shape. So it did not get institutionalized. Till now it is under the platform of local governments’s lower tier named union council where it is not well organized.Revitalising gram (village) police
The chaukiders were given the responsibility to work for social peace and to assist police and other agencies as and when directed by the competent authority
Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed
Local Government is a locality based government system. In our country, its existence was permanent in nature, although it had its different shape and size. In old and medieval age, this region was governed on the basis of rural institutions. These institutions mainly worked to collect revenue and maintain the economic flow of life. Perhaps, in no time, there was the autonomy of local government. The system was all along centralized. But behind the system the social council was enacted time to time. The past chaukiders are presently called the village police. In 1880s law and order situation began to deteriorate. During the time, agitation among farmers and general crimes were in increasing trend. To minimize the situation, the chaukideri act 1870 has been amended through 1892 act 1(BC).The objective of the act was to promote the social dignity of the chaukiders. At that time the people from the lower strata were empowered as chaukider. So they were not properly treated and valued. For management of this system the magistrates raised a fund known as chaukideri village management fund. By delegation of power, they were entrusted with job by DC or police super under whose supervision they were supposed to work. The chaukiders were given the responsibility to work for social peace and to assist police and other agencies as and when directed by the competent authority. Many steps were taken previously but nothing could form a good shape. So it did not get institutionalized. Till now it is under the platform of local governmentss lower tier named union council where it is not well organized.
At present the concept of security is not confined to safeguarding of a country from the attack of outsiders. Nowadays the security is explored in various aspect for mankind. Social security has become the very part and parcel of the civilized democratic nation. So from security perspective, the role of the village police must be authenticated and empowered by the importance of their job nature. They may be given the definite roles and responsibility for village governance. Besides, joint coordinated and collaborative activities may be conducted under the umbrella of social security and socio-economic development activities of the VDP members. Though any mentionable development has yet to be attained by the VDP members. So to achieve a notable target of sustainable development, the VDP organization may be merged up with the concept of village/rural policing making it an organ of Bangladesh police force under the Ministry of Local Government. But this sort of policing might be handled and controlled by both ministry of Local Government and Home Affairs. So by this proposition a balance of power may function. The village security under this auspicious policy vision may be manned by the village police. Again under the package program of village multiple umbrella platform, various committee in regard to security, education and other social economic development sectors may be formed be the local people from all walks of life. The committee people may be selected by the local govts lower tire union council chairman and by the official from the concerned Upazilla. Present Govt. is very much cordial and concern about the condition of the village police.
If the system is brought under a regular fiscal policy and given the charter of duties, the village scenario will be changed.
This will be a great thing for building a positive and prosperous Bangladesh against conspiracies, terrorism, social evil doings, un-ethics, illiteracy, and poverty. Bangladesh will emerge as a real tiger in this region of South Asia. So village policing must be revitalized and reformed as it demands.
The writer is Deputy Director General Commandant (PRL), Ansar-VDP Academy,
Safipur, Gazipur
