Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday urged police to pledge that no fascist or authoritarian force will ever be able to use them against the nation or the freedom of its people.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Police Week 2026 at the Rajarbagh Police Lines in the capital, he also asked them to put in their best efforts to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.
“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 current government, formed through the people’s mandate after the bloody mass uprising of students and the public in 2024 following more than one and a half decades of anti-fascist democratic movements, reflects the aspirations of the country’s freedom-loving and democracy-seeking people.
Tarique Rahman said people who had long suffered from attacks, cases, repression and deprivation now expect peace and security under the present 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 the Rajarbagh Police Lines, the PM paid tribute to the police members who were killed during the Pakistani military’s crackdown on the night of 25 March 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.
Tarique Rahman said remembering the sacrifices of the police members was not enough, stressing that protecting the country’s independence at any cost remains a sacred duty.
He also referred to the role of Rajarbagh police resistance and Major Ziaur Rahman’s declaration of revolt in Chattogram during the Liberation War.
The premier, however, said there are still some unanswered questions regarding some aspects of the Liberation War history.
He questioned the logic behind the political leadership’s strategy to keep all police personnel together at the Rajarbagh Police Lines at a time when thousands of troops were being brought into Dhaka daily from West Pakistan amid intense anticipation for independence among the people during the turbulent days of 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.
He praised the colourful parade at the programme, saying it reflected the discipline, dignity, sense of responsibility and commitment of police members towards 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 role of Bangladesh Police in UN peacekeeping missions, saying police personnel have earned international recognition through 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.
He thanked police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members who took part in the parade and wished overall success of Police Week-2026.
Earlier, he inaugurated the four-day Police Week-2026 being held under the theme “Amar Police, Amar Desh, Sobar Age Bangladesh” (My Police, My Country, Bangladesh First).
The PM inspected the parade of the Bangladesh Police by riding an open jeep and took the salute.
Deputy Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar commanded this year’s parade.
Different police contingents staged a spectacular parade on the occasion.
Prime Minister’s wife Zubaida Rahman was also present at the event.
Later, Tarique and Zubaida visited the stall of Bangladesh Police Women Welfare Association.
At the outset of the programme, the national anthem was played.
Ministers, lawmakers, diplomats, senior police officials, metropolitan police commissioners, range deputy inspectors general and district superintendents of police attended the parade.
Upon his arrival at the venue at 8:56am, Tarique was received by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir and Parade Committee President Additional IGP AKM Awlad Hossain.
