New law to empower police to file extortion cases: IGP

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir has said the government is taking steps to enact a new law that would empower police to file cases over extortion allegations on their own initiative, without requiring a public complaint.

He also said joint drives are underway across the country to curb juvenile gangs, extortion and drug-related activities.

The IGP made the remarks while speaking to journalists after a community policing meeting for Khulna Division at Boyra Police Lines in Khulna on Saturday.

He said police are often labelled fascist when they use force to maintain law and order, while they are considered weak when they refrain from using force.

The gap between police and the public had widened over the past 17 years, Ali Hossain said, adding that drugs had become entrenched in society. 

Police are working to address the situation, he added.

The IGP said a legal framework is being developed with the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Finance to make law enforcement agencies more effective.

Under the proposed framework, community policing will function as a branch of the police, he added.