Bangladesh News

The government has finalised ‘Private Security Service Rules’ that will make it mandatory for private security service companies to have licence.

The rules provide that all such companies must have licence by December 31, and operating any such company without licence is a punishable offence.

The move followed alleged involvement of security personnel of many of these companies in crimes.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Naim Ahmed at a press briefing yesterday said the government decided to go for the rules in the wake of allegations that a number of private security service men were involved in robberies in the capital, including that at markets like Karnaphuli Garden City, Muscat Plaza and Amir Complex.

Mushrooming of private security service companies, many of those run by dishonest people, also prompted the government to formulate the rules.

The DMP will issue licence to private security companies in the DMP area while district magistrates will do that for companies at district level, Naim said.

According to the government decision, every private security service company will have to submit savings certificates worth Tk 5 lakh as refundable deposit, and bank drafts of Tk 2 lakh as licence fee.

Duration of the licence is two years and renewal fee is Tk 50 thousand.

Replying to a question, the DMP commissioner said private security service men will not be provided with firearms.

At least 50 to 60 security service companies are operating in the DMP area, he said. He however admitted that they do not have accurate data.

Sources said over 300 companies with about 2 lakh security personnel are operating across the country.