Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad has issued a stern directive to the Bangladesh Police, stating that Officers-in-Charge (OCs) are strictly prohibited from contacting the Minister directly under any circumstances. He emphasized that the professional chain of command must be maintained at all costs to ensure organizational discipline.
The Minister issued these directives on Wednesday, his first day in office at the Secretariat, during a high-level meeting with secretaries and officials of various departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Restoring the Chain of Command
A senior official who attended the meeting confirmed that Salahuddin Ahmad was very clear about his stance on protocol. “The Minister stated that no OC should reach out to him directly. He views this as a breach of organizational discipline and warned of strict action against those who bypass the established hierarchy,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
The Home Minister noted that for the ministry to function effectively, every officer must respect their immediate superiors and follow the formal communication channels.
Zero Tolerance for Corruption and Lobbying
Addressing the legacy of the past 17 years, Salahuddin Ahmad remarked that he has no intention of returning to previous practices. Instead, his tenure will focus on transparency and accountability.
“I believe in performance-based evaluation. No form of illegal lobbying or ‘tadbir’ will be accepted. We are adopting a zero-tolerance policy against corruption,” he told the officials.
He further warned that if any member of the law enforcement agencies is found involved in criminal activities, they will face immediate administrative action following a swift investigation. “There will be no compromise on this matter,” he added.
Rebuilding Public Trust
Following the closed-door meeting, Salahuddin Ahmad spoke to journalists about his vision for a “people-friendly” force. He acknowledged that the image of the police had been severely damaged and stressed that rebuilding credibility is a top priority.
“The police must become friends of the people. We want to build a ministry that is completely free of corruption, where transparency is the standard for everyone,” the Minister said.
Public Comfort Over Protests
The Minister also touched upon public suffering caused by street programs. He instructed officials to ensure that no activities or demonstrations are allowed to block roads and cause distress to ordinary citizens.
Salahuddin Ahmad concluded by urging all officials to focus on their designated duties and avoid getting involved in unnecessary matters, signaling a shift toward a more disciplined and professional administration under his leadership.
