Dhaka, March 11 -- The move to appoint private security personnel stationed at shopping malls and residential areas in Dhaka as an "auxiliary police force" without any salary or allowances has raised concerns among crime analysts.

Highlighting the realities of Bangladesh, they say that allowing the auxiliary force to arrest "anyone if necessary", like police, could lead to "unintended consequences".

Citing a shortage of police personnel, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, or DMP, plans to add this new workforce as "auxiliary police officers" to boost security efforts.

DMP officials say they cannot immediately ensure police presence at all "required" locations.

Therefore, some individuals are being given "police powers".

A DMP Headquarters of...