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SALARY DISPARITY

Govt pledges steps to pacify cops

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
The government in a desperate bid to quell commotion in the police force assured police authorities yesterday of resolving in "a respectful way" the salary disparity between the police constables and army sepoys.
"The issue is well taken and the discrimination will be resolved soon," Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Quayum said last night.
State Minister for Home Lutfozzaman Babar visited Rajarbagh Police Lines yesterday afternoon to pacify the police constables in the wake of growing
resentment among them over the issue.
"He (Babar) told us that he has taken the matter up with the prime minister and the finance minister," the police chief said. He quoted Babar as saying that the head of the government and the finance minister have told him that the cause of the resentment would be eliminated soon.
The government recently increased the salaries of police constables and the sepoys of the armed forces, but the increase in a constable's salary was less than a sepoy's though both are of same
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grade and require the same educational qualifications. The government refixed the salary of constables and sepoys from Tk 1,625 to Tk 2,600 and Tk 3,150.
The move caused a commotion among the lowest-rank cops, with the constables at Rajarbagh and Mirpur police lines reportedly getting united to demonstrate against the discrimination.
Tipped off, the government stepped up security measures at all police lines and deployed members of the intelligence agencies to keep a close watch on the constables.
Some 20,000 policemen at the Rajarbagh Police Lines and 5,500 others at Mirpur were also instructed to always carry their identity cards.
Some constables told The Daily Star their movement has been restricted. They also said they have been directed not to discuss the issue.
Although there was information that constables were preparing to demonstrate against the discrimination, top police officials termed it a 'lie' and said there was no commotion.
"The police are a disciplined force and the members cannot do anything in breach of discipline," IGP Quayum told The Daily Star.
"They (constables) had a feeling that they have been discriminated against," he said.
Asked about the meeting with Babar held at Rajarbagh Police Lines auditorium, he said: "We
discussed the matter there. And the minister told us that the government has taken well the feeling of the aggrieved constables."
Asked about an unconfirmed report that some constables were disarmed at Rajarbagh Police Lines, the IGP termed it totally false. "Since there has been no commotion anywhere, there is no need for such a step."
In 1991, policemen at Rajarbagh and Chittagong police lines ransacked their barracks in protest at the salary discrimination. The government eventually conceded to their demand, but axed some 200 jobs.