Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) has stated that due to Bangladesh’s riverine nature, the necessity of the River Police is significantly high.
The Adviser made this remark on Wednesday (February 5, 2025) while briefing journalists after a meeting with senior officials of the River Police headquarters at Police Plaza Concord in Gulshan, Dhaka.
He said that as a riverine country, the River Police plays a crucial role in ensuring the security of waterways, preventing extortion and piracy, and conducting operations to protect hilsa and other fisheries resources. Despite limitations in manpower and watercraft, the force is working diligently. Necessary instructions have been given to address these issues.
He further stated that in various operations related to fishery conservation, it has been observed that while fishing nets and fishermen are being apprehended, the owners of illegal fishing net factories remain beyond reach. Instructions have been given to take legal action against the owners of these illegal factories.
Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) also commented on protests disrupting public roads. He stated that both justified and unjustified movements are causing inconvenience to the public. He urged students to present their demands to the appropriate authorities and, if necessary, conduct their movements within their own college grounds.
Regarding the arrest warrants issued by the International Crimes Tribunal, the Adviser mentioned that many of the accused individuals are not in Bangladesh. Requests have been made to issue red notices through Interpol for them. Those who are in the country are being arrested.
In response to a question from journalists, the Adviser stated that an investigation committee would be formed to identify those responsible for attacking police personnel and facilitating the escape of detainees in various incidents, including one at Uttara West Police Station. Addressing another question, he said that significant changes are being introduced in police training, with special emphasis on making the police force more humane.
During the meeting, a documentary and a PowerPoint presentation on the overall activities of the River Police were presented.
Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam BPM, Additional IGP of the River Police Kusum Dewan, and other officials were present at the briefing.
