The 9th founding anniversary of the River Police, a specialized unit of Bangladesh police responsible for policing internal river ways, will be observed in the country today in a befitting manner.
On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting all members of the River Police and wished the programmes of the day a success.
In his message, President M Abdul Hamid said: “On the occasion of the 9th founding anniversary of the River Police, I extend my best wishes and congratulations to all the members of the River Police.”
The head of the state said that the role of police is very important in upholding democracy and protecting people’s fundamental rights.
There is no substitute for using modern technology to ensure public services in current time, he said.
Hamid hoped that the River Police will become more people-oriented and people-friendly by using modern technology, increasing discipline, dedication and professional skills.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh Police force has a glorious history in the Great Liberation War of 1971.
Responding to the call of the greatest Bangalee of all time and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the patriotic policemen of Rajarbagh Police Lines put up the first armed resistance against the Pakistani occupation forces on the night of March 25, 1971, the premier said.
She remembered with deep respect all the brave policemen who sacrificed their lives in the great Liberation War.
The Awami League (AL)-led government has taken all types of timely activities to develop Bangladesh Police as a people-friendly modern technology-based institution capable of dealing with contemporary challenges such as cybercrime, militancy and counter-terrorism and money laundering, she added.
As part of this, in the last 13 and a half years, the police force has formed six specialized units including anti-terrorism unit, cyber unit, naval police, four armed police battalions, two ranges, two metropolitan police, 63 police stations, 95 investigation centers and 30 in-service training center, she said.
Since the establishment of the River Police in 2013, this unit has been carrying out the duties assigned to it with professionalism and efficiency with limited infrastructural facilities, she said.
At present, the River Police is playing an important role in improving the law and order situation of the inland waterways by carrying out round-the-clock duties, preserving national resources such as hilsa, jatka and other aquatic resources in the river, dealing with various natural disasters and preventing river pollution and protecting navigability of the waterways, she continued.
