Amid the students’ ongoing agitation demanding quota reform, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mohammad Habibur Rahman on Monday (July 15, 2024) warned that any attempt to deteriorate the law and order will be resisted strictly. He issued the warning while talking to reporters over the security measures centring the upcoming Holy Ashura and Tajia procession at Hussaini Dalan Imambari in Old Dhaka. “We have to abide by the court order. Therefore, police will work keeping respect to the court order. If anyone tries to destabilize law and order situation, it will be dealt with an iron hand,” the DMP chief said. Case filed against quota protesters for “obstructing police” and “vandalism” in Dhaka’s Shahbagh Addressing the security measures over the Holy Ashura and Tajia procession, Habibur said that they have already taken all preparations to ensure security of those who will observe the event. Security will be monitored from the high rises adjacent to the Imambaras while law enforcers in plainclothes will be in place along with uniformed ones, he said. As there is a custom to bear a flag during the procession, they (event organizers) were cautioned not to keep it too high so that it doesn’t touch the electric wires, he added. Read more: Clash erupts between quota protestors, BCL activists at DU; Several injured

Permission must be taken to hold any rally in the capital, newly appointed Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Habibur Rahman, said today (October 02, 2023). “No matter how big the political party is, no program will be held in the capital without permission,” the new DMP chief said during a ‘meet the press’ event at the Media and Public Relations Centre at DMP headquarters around 11 am. “If any party tries to hold a procession, meeting or rally without permission and breaks the rules, then any unit of DMP can take legal action against the violators without any fear,” he added. Additional IGP Habibur Rahman takes charge as 36th DMP Commissioner The DMP commissioner also said that there is a rally of the opposition scheduled for today. “They have taken permission from us and are arranging a rally following the rules,” he said. Replying to a question over the law and order situation ahead of the national election, the 36th DMP commissioner said that election is a democratic process of transferring power. DMP’s 34,000 forces will undoubtedly work to make the polling process smooth, he said. When asked whether the US visa policy will have any effect on the DMP, the commissioner said, “I don't think this will be a problem for the police as a force. It is person-centered.” ‘How many in Bangladesh police want to go to America?’ DMP Deputy Commissioner asks Saying that controlling the use of illegal arms in the upcoming national election is one of the major challenges for police, he added that instructions have been given to police officials to take strict action against illegal weapons. The DMP has enough capacity to thwart the use of illegal arms. "We will do whatever is needed to keep Dhaka safe," added the new commissioner. BNP postpones Aminbazar rally after denied permission

The government of Bangladesh has appointed Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Habibur Rahman as the new commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Read: US Ambassador holds meeting with DMP Commissioner  A gazette notification was issued in this regard by the Home Ministry's Public Security Division on Wednesday (September 20, 2023). The order will be effective immediately, the notification said.  Read: Crime in the capital 'under control': DMP Commissioner

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq on Monday said that the law and order situation in the capital is quite stable at present and crime is under control. The law and order situation has improved in the capital because the DMP is working as a team and 'Team DMP' is ready to face any situation in future as well, he said. US Ambassador holds meeting with DMP Commissioner  The DMP Commissioner came up with the remarks while addressing the monthly crime review meeting for the month of August 2023 at the DMP headquarters on Monday. The DMP chief also said that following the prevailing laws of the country, all police officers should perform their duties with professionalism to maintain law and order and control crime. The top officer of the DMP asked  the officers to give more importance while executing arrest warrants, investigating theft and dacoity cases, as well as recovering stolen vehicles and drugs. Police to be on high alert for Janmashtami celebration: DMP Commissioner He also asked them to strive for gaining public trust through public engagement. About the activities of Beat Policing, the DMP Commissioner said that a close relationship between the people and the police will be developed if the activities of Beat Policing are implemented successfully.  The distance between police and people will decrease and for this, people will be able to inform the police about their problems very easily. Crime control will also be much easier by gathering intelligence through beat policing activities, he added. Political rallies may be banned in future if those cause public suffering: DMP Commissioner During the meeting, the DMP Commissioner awarded various levels of policemen of the DMP in recognition of their good work in maintaining law and order and public safety provisions of Dhaka city.

DMP Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruk on Wednesday (July 26, 2023) urged the political parties to hold their programmes without causing public suffering as they may be forced to ban political rallies in future if those  become reasons of people’s woes. A total of nine political parties including Awami League and BNP have sent letters to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) seeking permission to hold rallies in the capital on July 27 but few parties will be allowed, said the DMP chief. DMP has no such objection to BNP’s marches in capital on July 18, 19: Anee “To hold political rallies is a democratic right of the political parties but it is the responsibility of the DMP to ensure the security of the people,” he said while talking to reporters after inspecting the overall security measures on the occasion of Holy Ashura over the Tajia procession.He also urged the political parties to plan their programmes on weekly holidays in future instead of working days considering the public suffering.Besides, carrying of sticks and bags in the rallies will be prohibited, he said. Drive to continue till Dhaka free from mugging: DMP CommissionerReferring to the Tajia procession, the DMP chief said police have been giving importance to security during Tajia procession since the 2015 explosion at a Tajia procession. Action to be taken if passengers are charged extra fare during Eid journey: DMP CommissionerThe Imambara Hoseni Dalan area will be brought under CCTV surveillance and alongside the law enforcement agencies, plainclothes police will be deployed in the area to ensure foolproof security.Besides, dog squad will be active in the area so that no untoward incident can happen, he said.

Bangladesh's Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today (June 7, 2023) addressed the issue of granting permission for Jamaat-e-Islami’s protest rally, saying that those involved in politics have the right to hold meetings and rallies. “It is normal that they will express their opinions,” he said while speaking to reporters at the Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters. Also Read: 10 Jamaat-Shibir men detained from Banani: Police However, he pointed out that Jamaat is currently not recognized as a political party by the Election Commission. “Therefore, the DMP commissioner will make the final call on whether to permit the rally or not. The possibility of vandalism or disorder will be considered before making the final decision,” he said.  Also Read: Jamaat-e-Islami can get registered if conditions are met, says commissioner Alamgir Regarding the discussions of foreign diplomats with various political parties, the home minister said that it is a matter concerning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The ministry is closely monitoring the situation and expects ambassadors to adhere to diplomatic protocols and fulfill their assigned duties appropriately,” said the home minister. Also read: Rights activists slam US report’s claims about Jamaat 

The partial collapse of a building following an explosion in Science Lab area that claimed three lives is not an act of sabotage but an accident, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq on Sunday. “No evidence of sabotage was found on the spot and the explosion might have occurred for different reasons. The law enforcement agencies are investigating it,” he said while talking to reporters after visiting the spot. “We’ll form a committee to probe the explosion and the probe body will take opinions from fire service officials and experts and submit a report,” he added. Replying to a question about whether the law enforcers found any sign of splinter or destructive elements, the DMP chief said, “They have not found any mark of splinter or destructive elements yet.” Three people were killed and 12 others injured when a building partially collapsed following an explosion and subsequent fire in Dhaka's Science Lab area on Sunday morning. The deceased were identified as Tushar, Shafikuzzaman, and Abdul Mannan. Tushar and Shafikuzzaman were computer operators, and Abdul Mannan was an office assistant in a company that has its office on the building’s second floor. Also read: 3 dead, 12 injured as building partially collapses in Dhaka's Science Lab area They succumbed to their injuries at Popular Medical College and Hospital, said Md Shahidullah, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of DMP’s Ramna Division. Five of the injured identified as Ayesha Akter Asha, Hafizur Rahman, 34, Zahur Ali, 60, Akbar Ali, 52 and Syed Ashrafuzzaman, 35. Of them, Ayesha received 38% burn injuries, Hafizur eight percent, Zahur with 44 percent, Akbar with 37% and Ashrafuzzaman received six percent injuries. They were taken to burn unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. Nine others injured are receiving treatment at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.They are Nurunnabi, 27, Tajuddin, 35, Mehedi Hasan, 25, Zakir Hossain Jewel, 26, Kamal, 40, Kabir Hossain, 25, Rabeya Khatun, 23 and Tamanna, 22 and an unidentified man aged about 25. The three-storey building collapsed partially after the explosion at around 10:52 am that also triggered a fire. Anwarul Islam, from Fire Service and Civil Defense Headquarters Media Cell, said that four units of fire service were working on the spot. The fire was brought under control at around 11:13 a.m.  

No open air events, fireworks and crackers will be allowed on the eve of New Year, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruque on Saturday. “No one will be allowed to hold outdoor programmes, use of crackers, fireworks or sky lanterns (fanush) will also remain prohibited on 31st night,” he said. The DMP boss came up with the information at a press briefing held at the DMP media centre in the city. Adequate police including plainclothes ones will be deployed to ensure security on the 31st night and check-posts will be set up in different parts of the city and people will have to undergo police checking so that no militants can carry out sabotage activities centering the night, he said. The Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team of DMP, dog squad and bomb disposal units will kept ready to tackle any situation, said Faruque. No DJ parties will be allowed and bars will remain closed from Saturday till 6 pm on Sunday, he said. No one will be allowed to carry firearms at residential hotels till 10 am on Sunday, he added. Also Read: Revellers gather in Cox's Bazar to usher in New Year Besides, the entry of outsiders will remain restricted from 8 pm in Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara areas today but the Amtoli crossing and Kakoli crossing will be opened for allowing entry of residents of those areas, said the DMP commissioner. Meanwhile, no outsiders will be allowed in Dhaka University area after 6 pm and no vehicles will be allowed there during this period. People can enter the university area through Nilkjhet and Shahbagh areas after showing their identity cards. Firefighting units and ambulances will be keep ready in different important points of the city and no vehicles will be allowed in Hatirjheel area after sun set. Also Read: 5 New Year Resolutions that are actually achievable When asked about any possible militant threat, the DMP commissioner said there is no specific threat centering the 31st night.              

A two-member BNP delegation is going to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner's office to try to end the impasse over the party's  December 10 rally in Dhaka. BNP vice chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain and law affairs secretary Kayser Kamal will go to DMP office at 2pm to finalise the venue for the rally on Saturday. Read more: ​​​​​​​BNP to hold press conference this afternoon BNP sources said their party is now thinking of holding the rally at Dhalpur ground while the government is willing to permit holding it at Mirpur Bangla College. The delegation will talk to the DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq seeking permission to hold the rally at Dhalpur ground or any other ground in Dhaka south city. To decide their next course of action regarding the detention of two top leaders of the party by detectives, the leaders of the BNP standing committee have sat for an online meeting that started at 11:40am. Meanwhile, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, the most senior member of the BNP's standing committee, will address a conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office at 3pm, said Sayrul Kabir Khan, a BNP media cell member. Read more: Mirza Fakhrul, Mirza Abbas picked up by detectives: BNP BNP in the early hours on Friday claimed that plainclothes police picked up its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas from their homes in separate raids in the capital city. Earlier on Thursday night, a BNP delegation had a six-hour meeting with the DMP commissioner where they talked about holding the rally on Saturday (December 10) either at Kamalapur Stadium or Mirpur Bangla College ground. Later, Abbas with some BNP leaders visited the two venues. At that meeting, police authorities assured of reopening the BNP office at Nayapaltan. On Wednesday, a Swechchasebak Dal leader was killed and around 50 others were injured in a clash between police and the BNP activists in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office ahead of its December 10 rally. Read more: Police control of BNP office at Nayapaltan continues amid mounting tension Following the clash, police raided the BNP office and arrested around 300 party leaders and activists from there. With only 24 hours left of the Dhaka rally on December 10, it becomes totally uncertain to hold the rally at the designated timeframe as the venue has not finalised yet as well as the detention of the party's two top leaders.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq said on Wednesday that a drive was conducted in the BNP’s Nayapaltan head office on information that they stored rice, pulse, sticks and cocktails.   “Today was an office day. They demonstrated there without any prior permission. SWAT and M-16 have been used against their attempt of committing subversive activities,” he told reporters. He made the remark while replying to questions from journalists at an emergency press conference at the DMP Media Centre. The DMP commissioner said the BNP men exploded cocktails from their party office and for that the drive was carried out. “We beefed up security by increasing the number of police. It was an official day, and they (BNP) didn’t take prior permission to hold the rally”, he said. Replying to a question whether a BNP activist was killed, the police officer said that they could not confirm the information. “I was in a meeting. It has to be looked into,” he said. Read more: Govt has staged the Nayapaltan clash to foil Dec 10 rally: Mirza Fakhrul Asked why police attacked the BNP men and party office, which was seen on a video footage, he said “I don’t know how much footage you have seen; I didn’t see it.” “So far, I know, their rally is on December 10. Today was an official day. They were holding the rally by blocking the road. They gathered and held rally by stopping traffic despite no scheduled programme. This is not lawful. They did not do the right thing,” he said. About arrest and harassment of the BNP leaders and activists, the commissioner said that he had no idea about anything like this. The DMP Commissioner also said that they beefed up security in the city to ward off any untoward incident centring the Christmas Day. Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, the BNP activists gathered in front of the head office and started chanting slogans at Nayapaltan. Sensing that the situation could turn volatile, police asked the party members to leave the area immediately. This resulted in a heated argument and at one point, police started beating the activists with batons to disperse them. Taking shelter in nearby lanes, BNP activists started throwing brickbats in return. To quell the protesters, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets towards them, which injured around 50 people. Read more: 1 killed in police-BNP clash at Nayapaltan; Over 150 leaders, activists held Falling sick due to inhaling tear gas, some 200 activists took shelter inside the BNP office. Later, police conducted a drive inside the office and arrested about 100 activists along with party leaders like Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed and Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie. In another development, police obstructed Mahmudur Rahman Manna-led Ganatantra Mancha at the Nightingale Intersection of the capital from advancing towards Naya Paltan.