Security arrangements for the Payra port are being further strengthened. The organizational framework for the Patuakhali district police is also being overhauled towards that goal with the workforce to get additional personnel very soon, officials at the police headquarters said.
On Sept 9, Committee of Secretaries on administrative development cleared the addition of 196 personnel and 14 vehicles after it was approved by the ministries for Public Administration and Finance.
A letter from the police headquarters to the home ministry sought the addition of 400 posts and 20 vehicles for Patuakhali district police, ministry sources said.
The home ministry forwarded their recommendation of 350 posts and 20 vehicles to the public administration ministry and the relevant unit of finance division signed off on adding 196 posts and 14 vehicles.
The additional workforce includes, one Assistant Superintendent of Police, four Inspectors, eight Sub Inspectors, four Sergeants, 10 Assistant Sub Inspectors (unarmed), 15 Assistant Sub Inspectors (armed), 147 Constables, One Computer Operator, One Office Support Staff, two Chefs (outsource) and two Cleaners (outsource).
The new vehicles to be added include one Jeep, two double cabin Pickups, one Microbus and 10 Motorbikes.
A letter to the home ministry on July 2016 seeking the tightening of security for the Payra port mentioned that development of multiple power plants were ongoing at the port with 2000 acres of land reserved for it to be established as “Exclusive Economic Zone.”
The letter said that once the port is transformed into an economic and trading hub, it will be rather difficult for the Patuakhali Police to ensure adequate security for the facility with the existing workforce.
Therefore, it is essential to overhaul the district’s police administration, it added.
Police headquarters’ AIG (Public Relations) Md Sohel Rana told Bangla Tribune, “No new units or stations will be formed. But, a special arrangement for tightened security will be available anticipating heightened activity at the Port.”
“The police, therefore, have taken necessary preparations ahead of time,” he said.