Plainclothes police cannot arrest anyone: Home adviser

Police officers in plainclothes cannot arrest anyone, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said today (9 December).

Speaking at a discussion at the Khulna District Shilpakala Academy Auditorium this afternoon, the adviser acknowledged improvements in the functioning of law enforcement agencies following the stagnation observed after 5 August political changeover. 

He, however, noted that these improvements still fall short of meeting public expectations. 

He emphasised the need for collective effort to resolve these issues, particularly in accelerating the recovery of looted weapons from police stations — a critical factor influencing the law and order situation. 

Speaking about disinformation being spread by several Indian media outlets, he said, "Media in our neighbouring country often engage in spreading falsehoods, but our media must uphold the truth. By presenting facts accurately, we can expose and counter such propaganda." 

He went on to say, "Bangladesh has always been a nation of communal harmony, where no one is defined by majority or minority status. We are all Bangladeshis."

At the event, the adviser highlighted the persistent problem of mob justice, urging citizens to hand over criminals to the police instead of taking the law into their own hands.

He reaffirmed that government employees should remain apolitical. 

He also denounced bribery as a severe societal and state-level problem. 

Alam called for an end to financial transactions in police recruitment and transfers, warning that failure to address such corruption would hinder the country's progress.