Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday lauded professionalism of members of Bangladesh Police saying they are discharging duties with full neutrality and dutifulness to maintain law and order, contain terrorism and protect public life and property.

"The country is now free from militancy and Bangla Bhai-like terrorists allowing the people to live in peace, and it was possible due to sincere services of the police force," she said.

Inaugurating the Police Week-2013 at Rajarbag Police Line here Tuesday, she said, the people regained their confidence in the police.

The PM commended the role of police in holding national and local elections, investigation into different sensational cases including Bangbandhu murder case and BDR mutiny case and maintaining law and order.

"Our government has completed its four years in office. During this period we have carried out huge development work, where the police force has an immense role," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government has adopted a three-year strategic plan from 2012 for the police. Under the plan, she said, the industrial police has been constituted and two more security and protection battalions will start functioning very soon.

The processes for formation of the tourists police, campus police and marine police are nearing completion, she said adding a separate armed police battalion is being constituted for security of the airports.

Sheikh Hasina said the process for formation of the National Police Bureau of Counter Terrorism Unit would begin soon and allocation was given to constitute Police Bureau of Investigation. Five grade-1 posts would be created for the police, she added.

Home Minister MK Alamgir, State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku, Inspector General of Police Hasan Mahmud Khandkar and Additional IGP (admin) Shahidul Hoq were present, among others, on the occasion. Ministers, state ministers, senior government officials attended the function.

Marking the inauguration of the Police Week-2013, an attractive parade of members of different units of the police was held.

The Prime Minister reviewed the parade and took salute.

Sheikh Hasina said her party does not believe in using police as a political weapon. "Police will act to protect the public safety according to the law. The duty of the police is to bring the law breakers to book, whatever powerful they are," she candidly said.

The Prime Minister laid importance on more use of information technology in Bangladesh Police force to identify the terrorists and collecting information about them.

She said the government is always ready to provide all technological support to the police force to enhance their capacity to prevent hi-tech crimes, collect depositions and preserve evidences.

To check transnational crimes at regional and international levels, our police have to work jointly with members of the law enforcing agencies of other countries, she said.

The Prime Minister said the ratio of the police is not sufficient in the country comparing to the country's population.

So, the present government has created 32,000 new posts for the police including 733 cadre posts.

Congratulating the members of the police force on the eve of police week, she said, she firmly believes that the police will render their services more dedicatedly to reach the policing service to the doorsteps of the people.

"The country is ours. Let's work together to build a prosperous Bangladesh for future generation and ensure a respectable position for the country in the world community," she said.

Sheikh Hasina congratulated the recipients of 'Bangladesh Police Padak' and 'Rastrapati Police Padak' saying this medals ould certainly inspire them to work better in future.

Recalling the valor and sacrifice of the members of Bangladesh Police force in the War of Liberation, she said, Our first resistance against the Pak forces in 1971 was forged from Rajarbag Police Line.

Members of the police force being inspired with the call of he Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman built the resistance. For their outstanding contribution to the War of Liberation, the present government conferred the 'Swadhinata Award 2011" on Bangladesh Police, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said, her government is working relentlessly for making police as a people-friendly and modern force in the path illustrated by the Father of the Nation.

In 1996, she said, the Awami League government enhanced the budget of Bangladesh Police to Taka 800 crore from Taka 600 crore along with introduction of risk allowance and ration, formation of welfare fund and construction of police stations, barracks and hospitals.

The rank badge status of the IGP, introduced by Bangabandhu, was restored after 28 years, she said adding the status of the posts of sub inspectors/sergeants were promoted to class-I from class-II.

"As your position has been elevated, you should be more careful to provide better service to the people," she told the police officers hoping that they would work with utmost sincerity, devotion, honesty and the spirit of patriotism.

The Prime Minister adorned the badge of Police Padak- 2013 to 67 officials and constables for their outstanding contribution to providing services to the people and demonstrating their professional excellence.

Out of them, nine were awarded Bangladesh Police Padak and 58 President Police Padak.

Ends/AMA/22/01/13