Outgoing Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Thursday said that he would like to attribute all the credit of the good works during his tenure as IGP to the government and the people of the country, but regard failures as his own.
He commented this while talking to the journalists at Rajarbagh Police Auditorium in the Capital, reports UNB.
Benazir Ahmed is retiring as IGP on Friday after a long journey of 34 and half-years in law enforcing-agencies. On his last working day, on Thursday, he exchanged views with journalists on various aspects of his career.
“Credit for all the good work goes to the government and the people while performing my duties during 12 years in top police positions as the DMP Commissioner, RAB DG and IGP of the Police. The failures are mine,” he said.
Marking the setting up of DMP Media Center during his tenure as DMP Commissioner as a unique initiative to institutionalize police relations with journalists, he said that this center developed relationship between police and journalists. “Your unwavering support for 12 long years, out of 34 years in service, has paved my way.”
“I have overcome many challenges during my tenure as DMP Commissioner, RAB DG and lastly as IGP. You (journalists) have given me support to face these challenges, the countrymen have also given support,” he added.
When asked about the failures in fulfilling duties, the IGP said, “I don't see it as a measure of success or failure. I want to see how much has been achieved, and what is left to achieve? Attainment is a process. This process is never ending,” Benazir said.
Benazir Ahmed was RAB Director General when Ward Councilor Ekram of Cox's Bazar was killed in a so-called crossfire. When asked whether he regretted the killing of Ekram, the IGP said that it was a legal matter. “There is no scope to express our feelings on the matter until it is proven to be unfair or unethical. This did not happen in my personal capacity, rather it happened through people at the field-level while discharging official duties,” he said.
“The gentleman had no personal conflict with the field-level Rab members. So there is no opportunity to take the matter personally. But we look at one thing whether any of our colleagues has gone beyond his duty. Action is taken against those who act beyond responsibility. Ekram incident has also been investigated several times,” he said.
When asked about killings of people in police firing while dispersing protest rallies, he said, these are very undesirable incidents. “Our primary goal is to save lives and for it we have weapons. Besides, executive and departmental investigations are conducted on these incidents.”
In response to the question of what he might do after retirement, he said, “I am still in charge. I will think about retirement after tomorrow. But after retirement, I will live with people as a part of this society for the rest of my life.”
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
