Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for strengthening the programmes of community policing to build a safe and peaceful society and said the police have to nurture democratic values and be friendly towards people, reports BSS.

Inaugurating the Police Week-2017 at Rajarbagh Police Lines in the capital yesterday, the prime minister also laid importance on modernisation of the police to cope with the emerging challenges of security and crime caused by technological innovation and rapid global changes.

"Stable law and order is the foremost condition for country's development. So, we consider the expenses for law and order not as expenses but investment," she said.

The police week has begun with the motto "Remedy of Drugs and Militancy: Commitment of Bangladesh Police".

The prime minister said a clique of local and foreign evil forces are out to thwart Bangladesh's advancement when it is on the road to be a dignified and self-reliant country. They have chosen the path of destruction being failed to win the hearts of the people, she said.

"They are misguiding the youths and juveniles pushing them towards militancy. They are misinterpreting the religion and giving arms in the hands of youths, instigating them to involve in heinous crime like homicide," she said.

She also inquires about the health of the police personnel who got injured while discharging their duties. Photo: BSS

The premier said terrorism and militancy are now global challenges which are also main obstacles to our development. However, the police are always ready to take actions against their masterminds, arms suppliers and the persons giving them shelter, she added.

Earlier on her arrival at the venue, Hasina was received by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Haque and Additional IGP and Parade Committee President Mokhlesur Rahman.

Riding on an open jeep, she visited the parade and took salute. Superintendent of Police (SP) of Chandpur district Shamsunnahar led the parade.

The premier handed over awards in four categories to 132 police personnel, including officers, for their outstanding performance in 2016. Of them, 26 received the Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) Bravery, 24 got the BPM-Service, 41 got the President Police Medal (PPM) Bravery and 41 got the PPM-Service.

Extending her heartiest congratulations to the award recipients, the premier hoped that these awards would encourage them in future to render services to the people with more dedication.

Hasina said 21 members of police sacrificed their lives from 2013 to 2015 being imbued with the spirit of dutifulness and responsibility. Nation would always remember their sacrifice, she hoped.

The premier wished constant progress of Bangladesh Police and welfare of its every member.

Later, the prime minister inaugurated Police Liberation War Museum, Forensic DNA Laboratory of CID, Cyber Crime Investigation Center, Cyber Training Center and a sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and martyred police members in 1971 named 'Rajarbagh-71'.

She also visited the stall of Police Nari Kalyan Samiti (Punak) and attended the Kalyan Parade with police personnel.

UNB adds, Hasina said, "Dhaka City has been divided into two parts to provide better services to people. So, we have a plan to build another police lines in the city."