Police still ineffective, govt rebuilding state institutions: Sakhawat Hossain

The police are still not functioning in an organised manner even one year after the fall of Awami League government, Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said today (10 August).

"Without an effective police force, the government's ability to act is severely limited," he said at an event, titled "365 days of the interim government", organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in the city.

The adviser also stated that the previous government had destroyed the entire state structure, including law enforcement, the civil administration, and even the army. 

"Fascism had infiltrated every institution, leaving nothing intact. What can be done in just one year under such circumstances?" he asked.

He said the interim administration is working to rebuild the institutional framework so that the next government can function effectively.

Speaking about challenges in the labour sector, the adviser recalled that the labour ministry first had to deal with Beximco Group, which employs 38,000 workers. 

"They were protesting and creating unrest every day. I was under constant pressure, with no relief," said Sakhawat, who also heads the labour and employment ministry.

He noted that while there have been successes in some areas, there have also been significant failures. 

"Beximco alone took Tk48,000 crore from 16 banks and 7 financial institutions, and there is no trace of where the money went. Janata Bank alone lent Tk24,000 crore," he added.