Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, country director of The Hunger Project-Bangladesh, has criticised individuals who, during the Awami League government, were beneficiaries and enablers of corruption and misconduct within law enforcement agencies.
"These individuals have transformed law enforcement from a state apparatus into a partisan instrument of oppression," he said speaking at a panel discussion organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on "Challenges and Actions for the Interim Government" on Wednesday (14 August).
He emphasised the need to bring such officials to justice and to reorganise law enforcement and administrative bodies under the leadership of long-neglected, competent officials.
The discussion, held at a city hotel, featured a keynote address by Dr Fahmida Khatun, executive director of CPD, who outlined recommendations for the interim government’s immediate actions.
Majumdar asserted that the top priority for the current government should be restoring law and order and ensuring the security of citizens and their property. He urged the publication of a list of officials and leaders from the Awami League government currently in custody and called for their swift prosecution.
He further stressed the importance of preventing these individuals from fleeing and ensuring justice for those responsible for over seven hundred deaths, as well as other crimes, including corruption and smuggling.
According to Majumdar, there has been a lack of recruitment from non-political backgrounds in law enforcement and administration, with many deserving candidates being blocked due to political bias and nepotism.
He also criticised the delay in promotions for many individuals due to revengeful practices and called for a clear reform agenda from the current government.
Arguing that if the government is only in power for a few months, the reform measures required would differ from those needed for a long-term restoration of state functions, he urged for a political consensus and a formal agreement involving political parties and civil society to guide future reforms and ensure adherence by the party coming to power through elections.
