United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Police force is facing an unprecedented crisis in the wake of the political upheaval and subsequent regime change that occurred earlier this year.  The student-led  mass upsurge in July and August culminated in the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year administration on August 5, leaving the nation’s law enforcement in disarray. For the first time since independence, the country witnessed widespread attacks on police stations. Firearms and ammunition were looted, with many police officers either fleeing their posts or taking refuge in barracks and other safe locations.  Operations at most police stations across the country were suspended following the downfall of the Hasina government, exacerbating concerns over public safety and law enforcement. 17 senior police officials transferred Some police stations were set alight, forcing officers to abandon their posts.  Then Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Mainul Islam said  on August 11 that 42 police personnel were killed and 507 injured during clashes in July and August. According to Police Headquarters (PHQ), 5,829 firearms, including Chinese rifles, SMGs, pistols, and shotguns, as well as 606,742 bullets, were looted from police establishments on 5 August.  Besides, over 31,000 teargas shells, 1,455 teargas grenades, 4,692 sound grenades, and various other munitions were reported stolen. Recovery Efforts and Missing Arsenal A joint operation to recover the looted weapons began on 4 September.  , 1,419 firearms and 263,153 rounds of ammunition remain unaccounted for, raising serious concerns about their potential misuse. Police detain 5 members of human-trafficking syndicate, 66 rescued Police sources revealed that many looted weapons are believed to be in the hands of criminal elements, further endangering public safety. Civil society groups have urged immediate action to address the alarming implications of this crisis. Operational Challenges and Absconding Officers The political shift has left the police force grappling with conflicting directives and an erosion of operational clarity.  Many officers, unsettled by the changes, have struggled to perform their duties effectively. Some have fled to undisclosed locations or even abroad, fearing trials for alleged misconduct during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. PHQ data reveals that one deputy inspector general (DIG), seven additional DIGs, two superintendents of police, and numerous lower-ranking officers and constables have been absconding since August. Among the most notable names are Monirul Islam, Additional IGP and chief of the Special Branch (SB); Harun Or Rashid, former additional commissioner of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police; and Proloy Kumar Joarder, Additional DIG of PHQ. ‘No magic to crime control; police working’, says IGP In response, the authorities have suspended the salaries and allowances of absconding personnel and initiated legal proceedings against them. Impact on Public Safety The absence of effective law enforcement has led to a noticeable increase in crime and a diminished police presence on the streets. Civil society organisations have called for an urgent overhaul of the police force, stressing the need for improved training, transparency, and a cohesive strategy to restore order. Local communities have expressed growing frustration, with many questioning the government’s ability to stabilise the situation. Experts have recommended a thorough review of the police’s operational guidelines, suggesting that they be updated to reflect the new political landscape. Police must regain public trust through services: DMP commissioner  Government Response The Home Ministry is expected to outline a comprehensive plan to address the challenges faced by the police force.  This includes measures to rebuild public trust, strengthen law enforcement, and adapt the force’s operations to meet current demands. As the nation watches closely, the resilience of the police force remains in question. Whether it can recover from this unprecedented turmoil and continue its critical role in ensuring public safety will be a key test for the new administration.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said that her government wants to build a well-trained and educated police force which will work for the welfare of the people. “Our aim is to build a ‘police force of the people’ which was the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she said. Hasina said this while speaking at a programme on the occasion of inaugurating service desk for women, children, elderly and disabled people in 659 police stations of the country. She also handed over 400 houses built by the police force for the homeless people in different places of the country. The humanitarian initiatives have been taken by Bangladesh police to celebrate Bangabandhu’s birth centenary. The PM joined the programme, held at Dhaka Metropolitan Police Lines at Rajarbagh, through video link from her official residence Ganobhavan. She said the Awami League government has been providing all sorts of support and facilities to the police to make it a specialised people-friendly force. “We want to see our police force to work with utmost honesty,” she said adding, the police members have to work with dedication to earn more public trust. “People have to feel confident that they will get fair treatment while they go to them (police force),” she said. She said “The success of a force or a person comes when that person or force discharges the responsibilities properly and gains trust, confidence and love from people. That is the big thing,” The prime minister said that the development philosophy of her government is to start from the grassroots level. “After forming the government we are doing the development work from the grassroots level. It’s not urban or capital centric development,” she said. She said that everyone in the country has to get the benefits of the development. “Our government always works keeping that in mind,” she said. She also reiterated her firm resolve not to keep a single person landless, homeless and address-less. In this connection she mentioned various development activities of the government to achieve that goal. Hasina lauded that measures taken by Bangladesh Police to help female victims of violence, helpless children, physically disabled and aged people. She underscored the need for maintaining such efforts of the police force to earn trust and confidence of the common people through their activities. READ: 50-yrs of Bangladesh Scouts: PM releases commemorative stamp In this context, she mentioned formation of the Legal Aid saying it is providing necessary support and assistance towards the victims, while the government has given necessary fund to meet the expenses. Stressing the need for time befitting modern training of the police, she said, the Police Staff College has been established for the purpose, while opportunities are also given to the police officials for the latest training in foreign countries. Hasina said steps have also been taken to equip the police force with modern technology and communication system, while spcialised police forces have also been established. The PM said following Guchhagram model of Bangabandhu, her government has been implementing Asrayan Project to ensure houses for all of the homeless families in the country. Considering special needs and social reality of the female victims, necessary women friendly environment has been ensured with women police officers posted there. For the Service Desk, a separate room has been arranged at each police station. A specially trained woman sub-inspector will lead the desk with other skilled female officers. The desks are also entrusted with informing visitors about other government services and providing legal aid to the victims who are financially insolvent. Police will build one house under each of 520 police stations across the country for homeless people. In the first phase, police have handed over 400 houses. The houses, which were built with standard modern construction materials, are earthquake and heat resistant. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Senior Secretary of Public Security Division of Home Ministry M Akhtar Hossain, Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed also spoke at the programme.An audio visual documentary on both the initiatives was screened at the programme.