Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has emphasized that no one will be allowed to obstruct the lawful work of the police, and political interference in police operations will not be tolerated.
He also pledged to ensure transparency and accountability within the force to prevent harassment of citizens.
The minister made the remarks after a meeting with heads of departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday.
The session, attended by law enforcement chiefs and department heads, focused on maintaining a strict chain of command, reviewing past irregular appointments of OCs and SPs through lottery, and ensuring that future postings are based on merit and service records.
Officers have been instructed not to provide protocol privileges for political reasons.
Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the government will urgently fill 2,701 vacant constable positions. He also directed the police to investigate cases filed after August 5, 2024, in which ordinary citizens were allegedly targeted by influential groups.
On the BDR killings, he said a new commission will reexamine the cases, and actions will follow its recommendations, in line with the government’s election commitments.
On firearms regulation, the minister said licenses issued during previous Awami League governments will be reviewed. Licenses granted for political purposes will be canceled, and associated firearms will be seized.
Addressing passport services, he acknowledged public complaints and said plans are underway to streamline procedures, register intermediaries to assist applicants, and ensure accountability while allowing regulated service fees.
Pilot programmes in Dhaka and divisional cities may be expanded nationwide based on results.
Regarding pending sub-inspector appointments from 2006, he said the files will be reexamined, and appointments will proceed according to court directives.
The meeting was attended by Home Ministry Secretary Md Delwar Hossain and other departmental heads.
