Law enforcement agencies mustn’t be used for personal purposes: Anee

Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee has said the police department operated according to directives it received over the past 17 years, adding that the elected government would chart its own course in running the force to serve the people.

“Law enforcement agencies must never be used for personal purposes. They must be used for the country and its people. This is a major responsibility of an elected government, as it is accountable to the people,” he said.

Anee made the remarks as the chief guest at the oath-taking ceremony of the Lakshmipur district committee of the Bangladesh Jewellers Association (Bajus) at the Lakshmipur Town Hall auditorium this evening (23 October).

Criticising the previous government for a lack of accountability, he said it had acted according to its own wishes without considering the interests of businesses or ordinary people.

“Gold traders and other businesses did not benefit, nor did ordinary people. That is why we had to wage a movement, prioritising people’s voting rights,” he said.

The minister said a stronger foundation for democracy would help businesses become more secure.

He also stressed that patriotism and responsibility should not be limited to the government, saying everyone had a role to play in strengthening the country’s economy and creating jobs.

“If you can help strengthen Bangladesh’s economy through the gold business, you can also create employment opportunities. Maintaining law and order must be a priority in creating such opportunities, as every business depends on the country’s law and order,” he said.

The event was chaired by Bajus Central Committee President Enamul Haque Khan and moderated by Lakshmipur district Bajus Chairman Samir Karmakar.

Among others, Bajus Vice-President for its Standing Committee on District Monitoring Azad Ahmed, Bajus Institute Chairman Anwar Hossain, former Bajus central committee general secretary Dr Dewan Aminul Islam Shaheen, Bajus Election Board Chairman Mizanur Rahman Manik, district Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council President Shankar Majumder, and district Puja Celebration Council President Swapan Chandra Nath and General Secretary Shimul Saha attended the event.