Criminals run riot in Barisal, cops watch �helplessly�

Barisal: The law and order situation has become worrisome in Barisal city, with police completely clueless in several crimes taking place in the last a few days. A group of armed dacoits attacked the depot office of Incepta Pharmaceutical Ltd. and Incepta Hygiene and Hospital Ltd on March 5 night at the C & B Road area of the city, and looted nearly Taka 90 lakh, besides causing heavy damage to property. Dacoits ransacked all 24 cash lockers held in 12 rooms of the three-storied office complex, damaged CCTV points and ransacked computers in three hours. Police interrogated 27 persons, but have been unable to identify the criminals. Armed terrorists shot a jewellery shop owner, snatching 100 vori of gold ornaments worth about Taka 50 lakh near the Bangladesh Bank’s Barisal branch in the Dinbondhu Lane area, late on March 1 evening. The injured gold trader Md. Mirazul Haque was admitted to Barisal’s Sher E Bangla Medical College Hospital.
Students of the Barisal University openly attacked police in the Police Lines area, injuring three men in uniform on March 2 noon. Police opened six rounds of fire, lobbed 11 teargas shells and charged the baton to control the situation. One policeman was hospitalised, while two others were injured. Five BU students were arrested in this connection. Armed terrorists attacked the house of BCL City Secretary Ashim Dewan in the Kaunia area on February 21 night, hurling bombs and opening fire. Police filed chargesheet against 14 accused, but have not made any arrests. Dr. Habibur Rahman, President of Manobadhikar Jot Barisal district unit, said insecurity among the local people was rising. He charged police with taking minimum effort to control the law and order situation in the city. He said, “They are patrolling the city, simply burning fuel. Police are also not monitoring the activities of criminals who are released on bail.”
Ignoring the allegation, spokesman of Barisal Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Abu Syed stated that BMP has a limited force, but is trying its best to control the situation. He said they had increased the number of police in plainclothes. There was no cause for panic, he assured. The Barisal Metropolitan Police has faced staff shortage for a while now. According to BMP sources, there are 1,306 posts, including 51 officers for the 383KM Barisal Metropolitan areas, consisting of a population of over 14 lakh. Of the sanctioned posts, 20 per cent were frequently on leave by rotation. Among the rest, 130 were assigned guard duties at different police stations and offices, 194 were employed as guards with different government officers at their office and residence. Around 79 were employed as drivers, 25 as bodyguards, nine were on deputation and 15 in mission. About 67 posts have been lying vacant for a long time. As a result, BMP has limited force to cover its four thanas, Police Lines and the 383 Kilometer area to ensure the security. The authorities, however, are sending a proposal to the headquarters to increase the manpower of BMP to a minimum 5,090, up from 1,306.

Criminals run riot in Barisal, cops watch �helplessly�

Barisal: The law and order situation has become worrisome in Barisal city, with police completely clueless in several crimes taking place in the last a few days. A group of armed dacoits attacked the depot office of Incepta Pharmaceutical Ltd. and Incepta Hygiene and Hospital Ltd on March 5 night at the C B Road area of the city, and looted nearly Taka 90 lakh, besides causing heavy damage to property. Dacoits ransacked all 24 cash lockers held in 12 rooms of the three-storied office complex, damaged CCTV points and ransacked computers in three hours. Police interrogated 27 persons, but have been unable to identify the criminals. Armed terrorists shot a jewellery shop owner, snatching 100 vori of gold ornaments worth about Taka 50 lakh near the Bangladesh Banks Barisal branch in the Dinbondhu Lane area, late on March 1 evening. The injured gold trader Md. Mirazul Haque was admitted to Barisals Sher E Bangla Medical College Hospital. Students of the Barisal University openly attacked police in the Police Lines area, injuring three men in uniform on March 2 noon. Police opened six rounds of fire, lobbed 11 teargas shells and charged the baton to control the situation. One policeman was hospitalised, while two others were injured. Five BU students were arrested in this connection. Armed terrorists attacked the house of BCL City Secretary Ashim Dewan in the Kaunia area on February 21 night, hurling bombs and opening fire. Police filed chargesheet against 14 accused, but have not made any arrests. Dr. Habibur Rahman, President of Manobadhikar Jot Barisal district unit, said insecurity among the local people was rising. He charged police with taking minimum effort to control the law and order situation in the city. He said, They are patrolling the city, simply burning fuel. Police are also not monitoring the activities of criminals who are released on bail. Ignoring the allegation, spokesman of Barisal Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Abu Syed stated that BMP has a limited force, but is trying its best to control the situation. He said they had increased the number of police in plainclothes. There was no cause for panic, he assured. The Barisal Metropolitan Police has faced staff shortage for a while now. According to BMP sources, there are 1,306 posts, including 51 officers for the 383KM Barisal Metropolitan areas, consisting of a population of over 14 lakh. Of the sanctioned posts, 20 per cent were frequently on leave by rotation. Among the rest, 130 were assigned guard duties at different police stations and offices, 194 were employed as guards with different government officers at their office and residence. Around 79 were employed as drivers, 25 as bodyguards, nine were on deputation and 15 in mission. About 67 posts have been lying vacant for a long time. As a result, BMP has limited force to cover its four thanas, Police Lines and the 383 Kilometer area to ensure the security. The authorities, however, are sending a proposal to the headquarters to increase the manpower of BMP to a minimum 5,090, up from 1,306.