Chattogram Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Magistrate Abul Basar Mohammad Fakhruzzamanhas said they are giving top priority to restoration of peace and order by normalising public life.
“The district has 33 police stations -- 17 in 15 upazilas and 16 in the metropolis. If we get at least 5 volunteers per police station, it will be possible to gradually bring policemen back to work by ensuring normal security in police stations,” he said.
The deputy commissioner made the comments at a view-exchange meeting with the coordinators of Anti-discrimination Student Movement at the Circuit House conference room on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has given 500 caps, 500 whistles, 50 sticks, 200 umbrellas, 250 laser lights, 200 bottles of water and three vehicles for transportation to facilitate traffic control work.
During the meeting, fruitful discussions were held to ensure security in Chattogram district and metropolis along with upazila parishads, court building-adjacent areas, religious places of worship, City Corporation, Chattogram WASA and electricity offices on a priority basis through coordination with the students.
In the meeting, a policy decision was taken to appoint three executive magistrates of the district administration as focal points for Chattogram North District, South District and Metropolis. It was also decided to employ two magistrates for market monitoring, two magistrates for receiving complaints and two magistrates for lost and found teams in coordination with students and volunteers. A specific timeline for the successful implementation of the activities undertaken was set and the monitoring of progress was discussed in the meeting.
Anti-discrimination Student Movement Coordinator Khan Talat Mahmud Rafi said, "Our opponents are not the police, our opponents are all fascists. Coordination of district administration with students is very important to normalise public life.”
The DC said the students will work in coordination with BNCC, Rover Scouts and Scouts in traffic control.
Urging to work by forming quick response team in the meeting, he said since there is no police, security of the police station is needed first. It is necessary to bring security to the police station to restore the morale of the police. In each upazila, the administration is working in coordination with the army. “Students of anti-discrimination movement should be divided into several groups and go to the upazila, so let me give you a list. Students should create a WhatsApp group in coordination with the District Administrator, in which the work can be carried forward quickly. City traffic work will be done in coordination with Red Crescent, Rover Scouts andvolunteers. A section of students will also work in it. Three cars will be given to those who will work through upazila students, for their convenience. We don't have manpower, so we have to take manpower from you,” the DC said. He said the police did not come to five police stations including Lohagara, so everyone should cooperate. “Upazila Parishads have important records…they have land records. There is work to be done for safety. Work should be done in coordination with the Union Parishad. There are more than 6,000 prisoners in the jail, as it is a sensitive area, there is a need for more security.”
Anti-discrimination student activists said that those who had land disputes and political problems in the past are now committing criminal acts. Steps are needed regarding prevention of communal conflict-rumors, active market syndicates and bureaucratic complications, speedy recovery of illegal weapons, spot ideas on whether education will continue in new curriculum or old curriculum, early start of HSC examination and building campuses free from student politics, they said.
Chattogram District Administration Additional Deputy Commissioner (revenue) Rakib Hasan, Additional Deputy Commissioner (overall and education & ICT) Md Sadiur Rahim Jadid, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) AKM Golam Morshed Khan, executive magistrates of district administration, leaders of Anti-discrimination Student Movement, representatives of print and electronic media, among others, were present. The deputy commissioner assured all of holding such meetings at least once a week.
