Photo : Collected
Criminals who have committed heinous acts such as murder, rape, and robbery within the capital often attempt to flee its jurisdiction. However, the notion of escaping justice by simply running away holds no ground as the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) boasts a commendable track record of apprehending offenders who seek refuge in remote areas outside Dhaka and ensuring they face legal consequences.
This success can be largely attributed to the diligent efforts of an adept officer well-versed in information technology and the Comprehensive Dhaka Integrated Management System (CDIMS).
Under the CDIMS framework, individuals seeking accommodation in Dhaka are required to complete detailed information forms, which are then meticulously stored by law enforcement authorities.
As of now, the police possess records for over four crore residents of the capital. Furthermore, any encounters with the law, including arrests for various offenses, are diligently documented within the CDIMS database.
DMP Joint Commissioner Biplab Kumar Sarkar highlighted these efforts in an interview with The Daily Messenger. He emphasised the collaborative endeavor between law enforcement and the public to foster a Smart Bangladesh through crime prevention and community engagement. Under the initiative of "Police-Janata Oikya Kari, Smart Bangladesh Gore Tuli," the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has bolstered its community policing activities.
A key component of this initiative involves the reinforcement of beat policing, wherein officers stationed across 306 beats actively gather and record information about all residents of Dhaka city using CMIS software. To date, data for 4 crore 14 lakh 82 thousand 314 citizens has been entered into the system, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the effort.
Additionally, beat officers have conducted 28 lakh 978 yard meetings aimed at raising awareness among citizens about various issues such as juvenile delinquency, violence against women, and militancy.
He emphasised the primary goal of ensuring the safety of city residents, acknowledging the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of individuals migrating to Dhaka from various regions. Addressing the challenge posed by offenders who commit crimes and attempt to evade accountability by leaving the area, he asserted the inadequacy of such tactics in the current landscape.
To counteract this trend, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has implemented a proactive approach: collecting comprehensive information on every citizen who rents a house in Dhaka. This includes gathering various details through a standardised form. Regardless of the offender's attempts to distance themselves from the city, law enforcement remains vigilant. Upon identification of such individuals, the police take swift action to apprehend them and ensure they are brought to justice, regardless of their current location.
He articulated that this concerted effort towards gathering information would not only enhance awareness but also serve as a deterrent against criminal activities. By instilling a collective consciousness that crime cannot go unpunished, the aim is to reduce criminal incidents significantly. Ultimately, the aspiration is to transform Dhaka into a safer and more secure environment akin to those found in developed nations.
According to sources within the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), a total of eight specialised crime departments and fifty police stations have been diligently working towards ensuring the safety, fearlessness, and tranquility of Dhaka. In the year 2023 alone, these units registered a total of 25,902 cases across various police stations within the Dhaka Metropolitan area.
After the accession of the present Commissioner, an 'Anti-Robbery Task Force' has been constituted to take effective measures to prevent robberies. Case Monitoring Cell of DMP Crime Department has issued necessary guidelines for negotiated settlement of 479 cases of public importance and sensational cases in 50 police stations. A total of 1934 public petitions have been received from different areas of Dhaka city and effective action has been taken on each of them. All the data of 25,902 cases have been entered in CDIMS to develop information technology-based crime prevention and detection system in building Smart Bangladesh.
To ensure equal legal services for all, 40 thousand 182 people have been supervised from the help desk for women, children, elderly and disabled. The Prosecution Department has taken steps to include all court related activities to ensure speedy judgment of cases and increase the rate of punishment against criminals. As a result, 15,537 cases under the supervision of the Prosecution Department have been disposed of by the courts in which 4,756 criminals have been convicted. Against 78 cases, 144 evidences have been disposed of in coordination with the court on the initiative of the DMP Prosecution Department taking into account the issue of financial loss, environmental pollution and lack of space.
The Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has been instrumental in investigating high-profile, sensational, and complex cases. In addition to its investigative work, the DB has made significant strides in the recovery of narcotics, stolen vehicles, counterfeit currency, and stolen mobile phones. Moreover, the DB Cyber and Special Crime Department is actively engaged in combating cybercrime and organised crime.
Through relentless efforts, the DB has successfully identified and apprehended prominent online fraudsters, online gamblers, blackmailers, illegal bettors, hackers, and individuals involved in leaking question papers.
According to sources, the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTC) unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has emerged as a global role model in the fight against militancy and terrorism. Since its establishment in 2016, the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit has carried out 27 high-risk operations. During these operations, a total of 2,247 extremist terrorists and militants have been apprehended across 1,619 cases.
In the year 2023 alone, the CTTC unit successfully conducted de-radicalisation counseling for 38 individuals involved in militancy, and rehabilitation assistance was provided to 17 militants.
Messenger/Fameema
