Police will be empowered to file cases against extortionists on their own initiative, without requiring public complaints, under a proposed new law, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir has said.
The proposed law will allow police to take action against suspected extortionists based on digital evidence or information from other sources, he said.
“Extortionists are either criminals or connected to people in positions of power. As a result, people are often afraid to testify against them or lodge complaints with police,” the IGP said.
He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists after a community policing meeting at Khulna Metropolitan Police Lines on Saturday afternoon.
Fakir said he had proposed to the home minister that a new law be enacted to strengthen action against extortion.
“Under the proposed law, police will be able to file cases and take action on their own initiative without requiring complaints from the public. If evidence, including digital evidence, is found, appropriate action can be taken against the accused. You will see a new law being introduced in the coming days,” he said.
The IGP said the initiative was aimed at eliminating extortion from society.
On rebuilding public trust in police, Fakir acknowledged that the force had become distanced from the public due to its activities over the past 17 years. He said his visit to Khulna was aimed at restoring public confidence and working to establish peace.
“Joint operations are underway against drugs, juvenile gangs, criminals and extortionists,” he said, adding that a legal framework was being developed with approval from the ministries of home affairs and finance to make police operations more effective.
He also said community policing would operate as a dedicated branch of the police force.
On the law and order situation in Khulna, the IGP said violence involving criminals had created fear among the public, with some criminals being killed and others committing murders.
“When police enforce the law, some demand the use of force. If force is used, they call the police fascist; if it is not used, they call the police weak. We do not want this,” he said.
He called for collective efforts to establish peace and justice and eliminate corruption through an effective police force.
Asked about the deterioration of law and order, Fakir recalled the situation after August 5, 2024, saying police had been absent from many areas and criminal activities had been widespread.
“Police have now regained their morale and resumed operations across the country. Not every problem can be resolved overnight, but the situation has improved,” he said.
The IGP said police wanted to become more humane and public-friendly, although some people argued that criminals no longer feared law enforcers.
He noted that some offenders resumed criminal activities shortly after being brought to justice, adding that police were developing policies to prevent repeat offences.
Fakir also said drugs had become entrenched in society over the past 17 years and that the current government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards narcotics.