Dhaka, August 9 — The police headquarters has instructed SPs and OCs of all districts to establish 'Citizen Security Committees' in each police station area to restore operations and maintain law and order. This directive, issued in a circular signed by AIG Inamul Haque Sagar of the Media and PR Wing of Police Headquarters, outlines the committee's main objectives and responsibilities.

The primary goal of the Citizen Security Committees is to enhance public participation in restoring order. To achieve this, the committees will prepare action plans and conduct activities through monitoring and evaluation. These committees will collaborate with law enforcement to prevent violence, theft, robbery, and other crimes by organizing joint patrols.

Additionally, the committees are tasked with resolving social conflicts, such as house vandalism and arson, through intensive personal communication. They will monitor the security of local people's lives, property, buildings, and religious places of worship, particularly those of minority communities, and will take swift action when necessary. The committees will also focus on addressing issues like drug problems and unauthorized occupations.

To promote harmony, the committees will work to de-escalate tensions and establish peace among various local religious and political groups. The committee's size will be determined by local coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement and will include acceptable lawyers, judges, retired police and armed forces officers, senior citizens, respected local political leaders, and representatives of local government institutions, human rights organizations, women’s rights activists, and NGOs.

The committees are also charged with creating public resistance against those who disrupt police security, raising awareness to prevent incitement, and providing comprehensive support to police in taking legal action.