Police ordered back to duty amid ongoing tension

All police officers across the country have been instructed to report for duty by 6pm Thursday (8 August), following a call from newly-appointed Inspector General of Police Md Mainul Islam for members of various police units to return to their respective units.

The IGP made the statement while addressing his first briefing at the Police Headquarters on Wednesday (7 August).

However, police officers at the grassroots level have said the situation is still not conducive to returning to duty.

The IGP said in his statement, "The excessive use of force by some ambitious officers has led to a tragic loss of lives, both among civilians and police. Their failure to de-escalate situations and adhere to crowd control protocols has exacerbated the human rights crisis."

"We apologise for failing to fulfil our duties professionally during the recent movement," he said.

The IGP also announced the start of police reforms aimed at making the force more people-centric.

Last night, he visited Rajarbagh police lines, spoke with members of the force, and assured them that their demands would be met.

The Business Standard spoke with a dozen grassroots-level policemen, including constables, sub-inspectors, and inspectors, who have been protesting for the past two days. They indicated that the situation remains unsettled and insecure for returning to duty.

"How can a policeman return to duty when most of the police stations have been vandalised? The security threat is still present," a sub-inspector said.

Another constable said they would not return to duty until their demands are met and an official gazette is published.

"We need a police force free from political interference, with substantial reforms to address corruption and irregularities," he added.

Another sub-inspector noted that some of their colleagues are still "confined" and facing security threats in remote areas. "How can they possibly join duty by Thursday evening?" he asked.

Police to go under major reshuffle

According to several sources within the police, the force is set to undergo a major reshuffle, with Awami League-backed officials being removed from key positions across all police units.

"Changes will be implemented within a few days, affecting most of the key positions," an official said.

Newly appointed DMP Commissioner Mainul Hasan began his tenure on Wednesday. However, the office has not yet fully resumed operations.

Earlier on Wednesday, in a significant reshuffle within Bangladesh Police, DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman was relieved of his duties.

A gazette notification, signed by Md Mahabur Rahman Sheikh, Deputy Secretary of the Public Security Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs, stated that the reshuffle was conducted following the order from President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Md Mainul Hasan, who was posted at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has replaced DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman who has been attached to the police headquarters as Additional IGP, it reads.

Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rahman has been made Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) after shifting him from police headquarters, it said.

RAB DG Barrister Md Harun-Or-Rashid has also been relieved and attached to the police as additional IGP.

Earlier on Tuesday night, the government appointed Commandant (traffic and driving school) Md Mainul Islam as the new IGP replacing former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.

All killings will be investigated: IGP

When asked about the whereabouts of officers involved in using excessive force, the IGP responded that disciplinary actions are being taken in accordance with the Police Regulations of Bengal (PRB) and existing laws.

Pressed further on whether these officers would face criminal charges, he stated that due process would be followed.

The police chief noted that these unprofessional officers did not adhere to accepted principles for applying force and violated human rights. "It is because of them that this ongoing violence and casualties have occurred," he said.

He also requested that all police officers refrain from posting or sharing any content on social media or other platforms that could damage the reputation of the force.

The IGP assured that every case of murder would be properly investigated.

"At this juncture, I sincerely call upon all the police members to dedicate themselves to discharging respective duties as members of the forces, for the needs of the country and the nation," Mainul said.

He further said a directive has already been given to all police personnel across the country to return to their respective police lines, offices, public order management, and barracks.

"We want to start anew to ensure the safety of people's lives. Therefore, all are instructed to return to their respective workplaces by Thursday evening," he said.

"The metropolitan police commissioner and the superintendent of police of the districts will form citizen security committees with senior citizens, professionals, student representatives, political and media persons in the police stations of their respective jurisdictions," the IGP said.

He added, "The committee will play an emergency role in ensuring the security of police stations and police station areas for now, and its final outline will be formulated later."

He further said, "I am directing my colleagues at all levels to refrain from making any demand, comment or reply on social media through any personal account, or accounts in the name of any association, or batch."

Police directives

Meanwhile, on Wednesday afternoon police headquarters sent directives to all police units including the grassroots level.

The directive reads that as a result of the existing various irregularities, corruption and exclusionary activities, the newly formed Anti-Discrimination Student Movement led to the establishment of the unprecedented people's will.

Many of our fellow policemen have sacrificed their lives and sustained injuries due to the actions of ambitious and unprofessional officers who have employed excessive force to suppress the student movement and failed to adhere to legal principles, respect human rights, and demonstrate effective tactics and leadership, the directive said.

At the same time, the vandalism caused extensive damage to various police installations, severely impacting the long history, tradition, and reputation of the Bangladesh Police, the directive added.