Online Desk  :   Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has said the police are working and taking steps to curb crimes across the country as there is no ‘magic solution’ to it. “Superintendents of police across the country have been directed to take necessary steps. We do not have any magical solution because you know the circumstances and from where we have to come back. But we are taking measures to address these challenges,” he said responding to queries from reporters at an event in the capital on Saturday.

The Bangladesh Retired Police Officers’ Welfare Association organised the event at Rajarbagh Police Lines. As the journalists asked about the rising incidents of theft, robbery, and murder in Dhaka and elsewhere, the IGP said, “We are working to awaken the police force and regain their confidence. We want to get closer to people and seek their cooperation. “We are also calling on representatives of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement to help us strengthen community engagement.” About promotions within the police force, Baharul said promotions are being granted to officers with only 10–12 days of service remaining, as a way to honour and recognise their contributions.

Sought for comments on his tenure, the IGP said, “I returned from retirement to assume this responsibility. I do not know how much I will be able to achieve…but I will try to take the honour with me when I leave.” On recent threats to student coordinators from different districts, he said, “We have analysed and resolved every incident. The robbery in Kaliakair and the mobile snatching in Narayanganj have been investigated.” He said the student coordinators were taken to Narayanganj, where they met the victim’s family and expressed satisfaction with the findings. These incidents are not cases of targeted killings.

The police chief also mentioned two other incidents involving threats. In one, a 10th grader from Mymensingh was arrested and later released to his parents’ custody. In another incident, a student named Meher from BRAC University received threats, which led to the arrest of Zahid Hasan in Sirajganj by the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. “We are working to resolve every incident, but not all of them are connected.” When asked about the recent secretariat fire incident, the IGP parried the question, saying, “This will be worked out by the investigation committee. I cannot speak on this matter.”