Farid Ahmed

Dhaka, May 3:

The Bangladesh police, dubbed by global watchdog Transparency International as one of the most corrupt in the world, is to get a minder.The Bangladesh government is to raise a counter-intelligence unit to keep watch on the activities of police personnel, officials said. A cabinet committee has prepared a draft on the issue and the force is likely to be raised very soon, the officials added.

The force, to be headed by a director-general, will function under the home ministry. It will probe corruption in the police force, allegations that bribes are demanded for fudging investigations and for releasing or bailing out accused persons, the nexus between the police and criminals and violations of human rights by the police. “Honest, capable and competent officers in public administration and other intelligence services,” will man the unit, an

official said.

Journos at risk

Dhaka: The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists in a statement on Sunday said Bangladesh is the most violent country in Asia for journalists because of the constant threat of harassment, assault, and even death. — AP