DMP Commissioner Advises Ensuring Personal Security

Staff Reporter

Dhaka: Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali has advised residents to ensure the security of their homes, shops, and businesses before leaving for their village homes during Eid.

He made this suggestion during a press conference at the DMP Media and Public Relations Office on Minto Road in the capital.

Highlighting the shortage of police personnel, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali said, “In a week, many Dhaka residents will travel to their villages to celebrate Eid with relatives. When you leave, ensure the security of your flats and businesses on your own.”

The DMP Commissioner added, “Today is Saturday, the 7th day of Ramadan. Seven Taraweeh prayers have been completed. Dhaka residents go out to pray Taraweeh, which takes about one and a half to two hours. During this time, the streets become relatively empty. Please ensure your homes, flats, and shops are securely locked before leaving.”

Commenting on the law and order situation, the DMP Commissioner stated, “The crime in the city is mostly street crime. I don’t know if it’s easy to commit crimes like snatching mobile phones. Snatching wallets from pockets is risky. Some mobile phones are worth lakhs of taka. We’ve received information that these phones are being sold at the border.”

Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali further said, “In Dhaka city, 80 to 90 percent of crimes involve mobile phone snatching. Teenagers, whom we call juvenile gangs, snatch mobile phones from bus passengers, private car passengers, and motorcyclists. These types of crimes are called street crimes.”

Describing Dhaka as one of the most densely populated cities in the world, the DMP Commissioner said, “Dhaka has many problems. Recently, major crimes like murder and robbery have been very low in the Dhaka metropolitan area. If you compare the statistics of previous years or analyze the crime rates of other major cities globally, you’ll see that Dhaka’s crime rate is relatively low.”

DMP Commissioner Sajjat Ali also said, “We will not avoid recording any case or incident. I have said that if 500 cases are recorded at my Tejgaon police station, the responsibility lies with the police commissioner. Do not refuse or delay registering any case. If an incident is genuine, we will take up the case.”

Analysts believe that while the Chief Advisor or Press Secretary may seek public approval by claiming “crime has decreased,” the DMP Commissioner’s statement reflects the real picture of the law and order situation.