Staff Correspondent

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday directed the police and law enforcement agencies to create a command centre to intensively monitor the law-and-order situation in the country.

"We have to set up a command center or a command headquarters, which will coordinate among all the police and security agencies," he told senior security officials, noting that the security agencies must make maximum use of the latest communication tools to make sure they can quickly intervene in a situation.
The Chief Adviser gave the instructions while reviewing the law-and-order situation at a high level meeting with security chiefs at the State Guest House Jamuna.

The meeting was also attended by Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retired) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Special Assistant to Chief Adviser Khuda Baksh Chiowdhury, Home Secretary Nasimul Gani and chiefs of police, BGB, RAB, DMP, Coast Guard and Special Branch.

Dr Yunus said the new command structure would "skillfully and intensively" communicate among all agencies, police stations across the country and all law enforcing authorities.

He ordered the security chiefs to stay vigilant against any attempt to disrupt the law and order situation in Bangladesh. "We have to be as alert as if we were in a war-like situation. This year is a very critical year for the country. We must not allow anyone to create chaos and anarchy," he said.

The Chief Adviser said the cronies of the ousted autocrat, Sheikh Hasina, were spending a huge amount of money to attempt to foment anarchy and spread disinformation. "We must stay vigilant. Everyone should fight against this disinformation menace," he said.

He ordered the security chiefs to protect the human rights of every citizen and take special measures to thwart any attacks on the religious or ethnic minorities. "Our global image will be badly damaged if we can't protect our religious minorities. We will also have to be very transparent in this regard."The Chief Adviser also ordered the police to launch a crackdown on extortionists in an effort to keep prices of food and essential commodities stable during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam said police have set up 10 teams to monitor the murder cases filed over the atrocities and killings by Hasina's security forces during July and August.

The Chief Adviser instructed the police to fast-track these cases and to make sure that no innocent people are harassed by these cases.

Chief of Police Baharul Alam said Bangladesh has moved a request to the Interpol in an effort to issue a Red Notice on Sheikh Hasina who fled to India during the mass uprising. "We've made a request. We hope we will get some response soon," said.

DMM commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjad Ali said mugging and snatching incidents in the capital have declined after police stepped up security. "Our efforts will continue," he said.