No political identity should shield criminals, extortionists: IGP

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir has directed field-level police officers to take strict legal action against drug dealers, criminals and extortionists, saying no political identity should shield offenders.

"An offender's only identity is that they are a criminal," he said at the monthly crime review meeting for August at Police Headquarters this morning (29 September).

The IGP also directed police to take appropriate legal action against juvenile offenders.

Reiterating the police's "zero tolerance" policy towards drugs, he called for tougher measures to curb drug-related crimes and greater public participation through community policing.

Ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja, the IGP instructed field-level officers to ensure adequate security so that the festival can be celebrated peacefully and safely.

He also directed police to take effective measures to prevent rumours and misinformation.

Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Md Sayedur Rahman chaired the meeting, which was attended virtually by metropolitan police commissioners, range deputy inspectors general and district superintendents of police.

DIG (Crime Management) Mohammad Abu Sufian and other senior officials attended the meeting at Police Headquarters.

In his remarks, Sayedur Rahman stressed the need to collect information on juvenile gangs and identify whether influential individuals were backing such groups, directing officers to take action accordingly.

He also instructed every police unit to prepare its own security plan for Durga Puja and remain alert to misinformation circulating on social media.

The additional IGP further directed police personnel to use body-worn cameras properly while performing their duties.

The meeting reviewed the overall crime situation in August 2026, including robbery, banditry, murder, rape, attacks on police, abduction cases, pending arrest warrants, progress in investigations and trials, and conviction rates.