Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir paid deep respect to the police members who were martyred in the Liberation War on Independence and National Day.
Salahuddin placed a floral wreath at the Police Memorial at Rajarbagh Police Lines, Dhaka at 7:30am. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, IGP Md. Ali Hossain Fakir, and other senior police officials were present during the ceremony.
A police contingent offered a state salute, while a mournful tune was played on the bugle.
Salahuddin said the genocide began at Rajarbagh Police Lines on the night of 25 March 1971, which created the backdrop for the declaration of independence. He noted that the then Major Ziaur Rahman declared a revolt in Chattogram upon hearing of the genocide and later formally declared Bangladesh’s independence from the Kalurghat Radio Centre on 27 March, seeking world support.
Remembering the sacrifices of the martyrs, he added, “The blood shed by the police force at Rajarbagh Police Lines was the beginning of the declaration of the War of Independence.”
Salahuddin further mentioned that he had also paid tribute at the National Memorial in Savar following the President and the Prime Minister. Subsequently, he visited the grave of president Ziaur Rahman, to pay his respects before arriving at Rajarbagh.
Regarding the handover of suspects in the Osman Hadi murder case from India, he informed that a formal request has been sent through diplomatic channels via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He added that the process of handing them over to Bangladesh is currently ongoing under the Extradition Treaty.
Regarding police reforms, Salahuddin said discussions are underway with various developed nations for technical assistance, training, and capacity building to make the force more enriched and modern. He specifically noted a discussion held with the Swiss Ambassador on Wednesday regarding the matter.
Tributes were also paid by the of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Sarwar, leaders of the Bangladesh Police Service Association; and leaders of the Bangladesh Police Women Network (BPWN), who placed wreaths at the memorial to honour the martyred police members.
