Bangladesh
MRT Police 'MRT Police' takes over charge of metro rail's security
Dhaka, Oct 21: The government has already formed Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Police to provide overall security of metro rail. Two hundred more personnel have been added to the specialized MRT police. With this, under the leadership of a DIG, the strength of the MRT police is now 431. With this manpower, the MRT Police has started to perform the entire responsibility of metro rail security from Saturday.
Before that, the MRT Police will take over the security responsibility of the Metrorail from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Three hundred and fifty members of DMP including Ansar members were taking care of the security issue with MRT till now.
When asked, Deputy Police Commissioner (DC) of DMP's Media and Public Relations Department, Md. Farooq Hossain said, today DMP Commissioner (Habibur Rahman) will explain the security responsibility of Metrorail to MRT Police. At the same time, 350 members of DMP including Ansar members working in MRT will be brought back to DMP. On this occasion, Uttara DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman inspected the activities of the MRT police.
There was a proposal to form a separate unit for Metrorail from the beginning. Railway Police is one of the oldest specialized units of Bangladesh Police. It was established in 1881. The Railway Police conducts law and order, crime prevention, investigation and other policing activities in its jurisdiction like the District Police. The MRT Police will likewise work for the overall security of the Metrorail, safety of passengers as well as law and order and crime prevention.
Before and after the inauguration, police reserve force and thana police were providing security until the formation of MRT police.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the metro rail on December 28 last year. Uttara North and Agargaon stations were opened on the first day. On the day of the inauguration, the Prime Minister traveled by metro rail from Uttara Uttar station to Agargaon. The next day, the Metrorail was opened to the public from December 29.
