Online Desk  :  The government plans to involve retired law enforcement and armed forces members in managing Dhaka’s traffic system, alongside students already assisting police. “We are already utilising students for traffic control. To further enhance the system, we aim to form a community police unit with retired personnel from the police, army, air force, BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh), and Ansar who have prior experience in traffic management,” Home Advisor Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said following an advisory committee meeting on law and order at the Secretariat on Sunday. He estimated that around 500 retired members could be engaged in this initiative.

Asked about the conditions leading to this decision, he said: “The city roads cover only 7.5 percent of the area instead of the required 25 percent. Meanwhile, the number of vehicles keeps increasing, creating an untenable situation.” Regarding battery-powered rickshaws, he said: “The issue is now in the High Court. Whatever instructions the court provides, the government will implement.” When questioned about efforts to prevent false cases, he acknowledged the problem, saying: “I won’t deny the existence of false and fabricated cases. We are taking steps to ensure this doesn’t happen. Those filing such cases will face stringent legal action.” He also revealed plans to form committees to prevent harassment of accused individuals.

“We have proposed creating legal aid committees at the district level, including the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police, to ensure no one is harassed under any circumstances.” On law and order, he commented: “No one can disrupt the peace. The law and order situation has improved to a satisfactory level.” The briefing was also attended by newly appointed Inspector General of Police Md Baharul Alam and Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali.