The newly appointed inspector general of police, Javed Patwari, said on Thursday that police would remain tough within purview of law to ensure security of citizens’ lives and property. The IGP made the comment in his first media briefing at Police Headquarters’ media centre in the capital while responding to a question about preparations for the upcoming national elections as well as the February 8 verdict in Zia Orphanage Trust case against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, her son Tarique Rahman and four others. Responding to another question if he considered the current year challenging due to general election, he said that conducting the election was the task of Election Commission and police would do their duties with professionalism to ensure security of lives and property of citizens. ‘Every member of Bangladesh Police faces challenges since joining the forces. Every day is a challenge to us,’ he said. Earlier, in a written speech, the police chief identified extremism and spread of drugs as two big challenges and anti-extremism activities would continue. Regarding involvement of a few police members in crime, he said that they were embarrassed by non-professional activities of a few members. ‘I want to say that the department will not take any responsibility for any individual’s offence. Our policy will be ‘zero tolerance’ in this regard,’ he said.