Desk Report:
Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali said that the police want to work as servants of the people, not as oppressors. The biggest evaluation of the good work of the police is the satisfaction of the citizens. If the common people are satisfied with the service and behavior of the police, then it should be understood that the police are performing their duties properly.
He said these things at a view-exchange meeting organized with journalists at the VIP lounge of the Chittagong Press Club on Saturday (July 25, 2026) morning.
The program was presided over by Chittagong Press Club President Zahidul Karim Kochi and moderated by General Secretary Golam Mawla Murad. Daily Azadi Editor MA Malek was present at the program. Mahbub Mawla Ripon recited the Holy Quran at the beginning of the program and Press Club Joint Secretary Mia Md. Arif delivered the welcome speech.
The Police Commissioner said that there is no alternative to public awareness in maintaining law and order and social order. Active participation of the community is very important to ensure effective policing. The more the police’s involvement with the public increases, the more efficiently the police will be able to perform their duties.
He said, “The police are different – it will not happen if the police themselves think so. The common people have to feel it through the behavior and work of the police.”
Referring to the relationship between the police and the people after the July Revolution, he said, “We do not want to be oppressive police. On behalf of the CMP, I want to say that we want to work for the people as the people’s police.”
Praising the role of journalists, the CMP Commissioner said that journalists are the mirror of society. If a report is published in the media about any police activity, there is no opportunity to view it negatively. Rather, we should analyze the report and take initiatives to understand and correct the necessary issues.
Editor of Daily Azadi MA Malek said at the event that journalists and police complement each other. If truthful news is presented, there is no opportunity for confusion. He said that only about 1,200 police members are working to ensure the safety of about 7 million people in Chittagong city. Therefore, if the public cooperates with information, it will be easier for the police to suppress crime and maintain law and order.
In his speech, Chittagong Press Club President Zahidul Karim Kochi said that the police and journalists are working with the same goal to build a welfare state. If good relations are developed between people in these two professions who are engaged in serving the people even in adverse circumstances, the expectations of the people will be fulfilled better.
He said that after the fall of the fascist government after 15 and a half years in July, the Chittagong Press Club has also changed in line with the country’s changes. He expressed hope that the police and journalists will work together to build a new Bangladesh.
Speaking on behalf of the press club at the exchange of views meeting were Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) Bangladesh Chapter General Secretary Osman Gani Mansur, Press Club Advisor Bir Muktijoddha Moinuddin Kaderi Shawkat, Kazi Abul Mansur, Senior Vice President Mustafa Nayem, Chittagong Metropolitan Journalists Union’s Saleh Noman, Finance Secretary Abul Hasnat, Social Service and Hospitality Secretary Hasan Mukul, Executive Members Wahid Zaman and Saiful Islam Shilpi, ATN News Representative Monirul Islam Parvez, Kaler Kantho Senior Reporter Faruk Munir and Sakalbela Bureau Chief Mohammad Ali.
Meanwhile, Additional Police Commissioner (Administration and Finance) Wahidul Haque Chowdhury, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime) Muhammad Faisal Ahmed, Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Hossain Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan, DC (South) Md. Habibur Rahman and Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahid Noor spoke on behalf of CMP. Senior officials from various units of CMP were also present at the event.
