Government withdraws police escorts for 18 ministers to cut costs, save fuel

The government has withdrawn special movement escorts provided by police for 18 ministers, citing state expenditure cuts, fuel savings and the existing shortage of manpower and vehicles in the police force. The decision has already been implemented by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

According to government sources, currently only 14 important individuals are receiving police escort services. At the same time, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has also decided to reduce his own security protocol, using two escort vehicles instead of four.

A high-level government source said the Prime Minister had directed the Home Minister to withdraw escorts for ministers where they were deemed no longer necessary. Last week, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed issued the necessary directives to the DMP in this regard.

A senior DMP official said that from now on, only essential individuals will be provided with escorts while moving around Dhaka. However, ministers will continue to receive gunmen, houseguards and special police security during official visits outside Dhaka.

The ministers whose escort privileges have been withdrawn are: Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintu, Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, Commerce and Industry Minister Khondkar Abdul Muktadir, Labour and Expatriate Welfare Minister Ariful Haq Chowdhury, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Disaster Management Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher, Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, ICT Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam.

Police sources said that currently 1,691 police personnel are engaged in the security of ministers, state ministers and other VIPs in Dhaka. A minister's movement escort typically consists of one Sub-Inspector (SI), four constables and a police pickup van. The decision was taken as part of cost-cutting measures.