Newly appointed Barishal Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) **Md Zulfikar Ali Haider** held an exchange meeting with journalists at the district police lines on Tuesday.
The meeting was organised by the Range DIG’s office to mark his joining. DIG Haider said journalists working at the grassroots level have valuable information about the law-and-order situation, and closer cooperation between police and the media could help improve public security.
He stressed that police efforts alone cannot ensure law and order without public cooperation. He also urged journalists to continue providing constructive criticism and suggestions to make police activities more effective.
The DIG identified **drug abuse, juvenile gangs, robbery during the monsoon, digital crimes, fraud and online offences** as emerging concerns in the region. He said police would seek journalists’ views in addressing these challenges.
Discussing police conduct, Haider acknowledged that behavioural problems and a lack of a cooperative attitude remain weaknesses within the force. He said steps are being taken through training and supervision to promote more humane and empathetic behaviour, particularly when dealing with victims seeking help at police stations.
He also outlined plans for community policing programmes in schools and colleges to promote good behaviour, social values and awareness against drug abuse among students.
“Our doors will always remain open to journalists,” the DIG said, urging them to maintain constructive criticism of police activities.
Additional DIGs Dr Md Saifullah Bin Anwar and Md Humayun Kabir, Barishal Superintendent of Police A.Z.M. Mostafizur Rahman, Barishal Press Club President Advocate Aminul Islam Khasru, freedom fighter Nurul Alam Farid, Kazi Miraj Mahmud and other journalists attended the meeting.
