Good policing to be rewarded, negligence punished: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has reaffirmed the government's commitment to recognising outstanding police performance while ensuring accountability for negligence and misconduct, saying law enforcement officers will be judged by both their achievements and failures.

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Sunday, the minister said police members who demonstrate exceptional professionalism in combating crime and bringing offenders to justice will receive official recognition. At the same time, he warned that negligence, inactivity or involvement in unlawful activities by law enforcement personnel would lead to departmental action and disciplinary measures.

The home minister highlighted several recent investigations that were completed swiftly, particularly the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter, describing the handling of the case as a notable example of professional policing and judicial coordination.

He said investigators quickly completed DNA testing, autopsy procedures and the submission of the charge sheet, enabling the case to move through the legal process in a remarkably short period.

Salahuddin Ahmed described the court verdict in the Ramisa case as a significant milestone in Bangladesh's criminal justice system. He noted that members of the judiciary and relevant officials even sacrificed their Eid holidays to ensure the proceedings continued without delay, calling it a reflection of both institutional responsibility and public commitment to justice.

Regarding the implementation of the verdict, the minister said the government would seek cooperation from the Supreme Court and the Attorney General's Office so that the required legal procedures, including the death reference hearing, could be handled expeditiously while maintaining due process.

He also praised police personnel at the Goalanda Ferry Terminal for their role in preventing a potentially fatal incident involving a passenger bus, and cited the rapid resolution of a murder case involving a teenage girl in Munshiganj's Gazaria Upazila as another example of effective policing.

Turning to border security, Salahuddin Ahmed said issues including border killings, illegal crossings and push-ins would receive priority attention during the upcoming director general-level conference between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India's Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi. He stressed that BGB personnel remain vigilant and would resist any unlawful attempts to cross the border.

The minister also said the government is working to modernise laws related to narcotics and gambling, arguing that stronger legislation is needed to close legal loopholes and ensure tougher punishment for offenders. He added that law enforcement agencies continue their anti-crime and anti-drug operations nationwide, although operational details are not disclosed in advance for security reasons.

The remarks underscore the government's broader effort to combine stricter law enforcement with institutional accountability as it seeks to improve public confidence in the criminal justice system.