Meherpur’s newly appointed Superintendent of Police, Ali Haider Chowdhury, has warned that violence, humiliation and the denial of legal rights in the name of informal arbitration will not be tolerated. He has also pledged tough action against drugs, online gambling and youth gangs, stressing that criminal allegations must be handled through lawful procedures and that courts, not informal groups, have the authority to deliver justice.
The police chief made the remarks during an exchange of views with journalists at the Superintendent of Police’s conference room in Meherpur on Sunday afternoon, 11 October. The meeting focused on law and order, local crime and measures to improve policing and public safety across the district.
“Those days are over when people could be tortured, humiliated or deprived of their legal rights in the name of arbitration,” Chowdhury said. He added that the police would take action when allegations of criminal offences were reported, while the courts would determine the cases through the judicial process. No illegal arbitration operating alongside the formal justice system would be allowed to continue, he warned.
Informal arbitration, often referred to locally as shalish, is used in some communities to resolve disputes. However, the police chief made clear that such arrangements could not be used to justify assault, intimidation or the denial of legal remedies. Any allegation of wrongdoing must be addressed in accordance with the law rather than through punishment imposed by individuals or groups outside the judicial system.
Chowdhury also announced a firm approach to tackling drug-related offences, online gambling and the activities of youth gangs. He said the district police would conduct operations against these forms of crime and that no one would receive preferential treatment. His remarks came after journalists raised concerns about a range of law-and-order problems affecting the district.
During the meeting, reporters highlighted online gambling, theft, drug-related offences, smuggling, extortion, terrorism and the activities of youth gangs. They called for prompt intervention and effective measures to prevent criminal activity. The Superintendent of Police assured them that the concerns would be taken seriously and that appropriate action would be pursued.
Improving access to police services was another priority outlined at the meeting. Chowdhury said he wanted every police station in Meherpur to become a public-friendly service centre where people could report incidents without fear and receive assistance promptly. He said district police officers had already been instructed to ensure that members of the public could approach police stations with confidence and obtain the services they needed.
The pledge places emphasis on the relationship between effective law enforcement and public trust. Accessible police stations, proper handling of complaints and timely responses can help people report offences and seek assistance without unnecessary barriers. The effectiveness of the proposed approach will depend on how consistently these commitments are implemented across the district.
Chowdhury also sought the cooperation of journalists in building a safer Meherpur. Responsible reporting can help bring local concerns to public attention, while regular communication between the media and law enforcement agencies can assist in identifying problems that require official attention.
Additional Superintendent of Police Atikul Haque attended the meeting, along with Jaminur Rahman Khan, the district police’s media focal person and an additional superintendent of police. Journalists working for various print and electronic media outlets in Meherpur were also present.
The police chief’s statements set out a clear position on illegal arbitration and several other crime-related concerns. The central challenge will be to translate those commitments into consistent action while ensuring that complaints are handled fairly and that legal rights are protected.
