Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus inaugurated the three-day Police Week-2025 at Rajarbagh Police Lines in Dhaka on Tuesday morning, calling on the police to restore public trust and play a vital role in ensuring a free and fair general election.
Speaking as the chief guest at the event’s opening session, Prof Yunus acknowledged the limitations faced by the police—such as manpower shortages, logistical constraints, and budget inefficiencies—but emphasized that rebuilding public confidence remains the greatest challenge after 16 years of deteriorating relations between the police and citizens.
“It’s not difficult to restore trust,” he said, “but it requires effort from all levels. Police must work from the grassroots to rebuild confidence among the people. The government will provide all necessary support for this.”
Referring to his earlier announcements about the next general election timeline—between December 2025 and June 2026—Prof Yunus stressed the police’s crucial role in maintaining fairness and peace during the polls. He urged law enforcement to treat all candidates equally and foster an environment where voters can cast their ballots freely.
Reflecting on the state of the force when the interim government assumed office in August 2024, Prof Yunus described the police as being in a “fragile state” due to years of misuse under the previous autocratic regime. He noted that partisan use of the force had led to public outrage, with many honest officers paying the price.
To rebuild morale and restore order, the government launched special initiatives, improved road safety, and took steps to strengthen the mental well-being of officers. Prof Yunus credited the force’s efforts for the peaceful observance of major events such as Durga Puja, Bishwa Ijtema, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Bangla Noboborsho.
He also called on police to take a stronger stance against violence toward women, ensuring that women from all backgrounds can easily access help via police hotlines.
Prof Yunus recalled the historic contribution of Bengali police officers during the liberation war, particularly the resistance at Rajarbagh Police Lines on March 25, 1971. “This is a proud chapter in the history of Bangladesh Police that must never be forgotten,” he said.
Paying tribute to the martyred officers of 1971, he emphasized that the aspiration of the people has always been to establish equal rights and justice—goals that the police must now help fulfill.
