Police arrested five operatives of an organized gang, who allegedly committed a robbery posing as members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Dhaka’s Kakrail area on December 4, from several areas of Dhaka on Thursday. Besides, a microbus and eight mobile phones used during the robbery were seized. The arrestees included Mohammad Sajjad Hossain, 35, Mohammad Kabir Hossain, 50, Mohammad Sharif, 25, Mohammad Monir Hossain, 40, and, Mohammad Habibur Khandakar, 38, said a media release sent from Dhaka Metropolitan Police. According to a case statement, one Saiful Islam, Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of the Trasmil Company Limited in Demra, was carrying an amount of Tk 26 lakh inside a school bag, which he had withdrawn from a gold jewelry shop in Tantibazar. On the afternoon of December 4, Saiful boarded a bus from Bangshal Chaurasta, intending to go to his house in Badda. As the bus stopped at a traffic signal near Kakrail in Ramna, 10-12 people boarded the bus and identified themselves as members of RAB. One of them was wearing a RAB-branded jacket and had handcuffs and a wireless set in his possession. Read: RAB rescues infant girl abducted from Azimpur during robbery The gang told passengers that a suspect in a case was traveling on the bus. They pointed to Saiful Islam and forcibly dragged him off the bus, and made him get into a white microbus they were using for the robbery, according to the statement. After robbing him, they blindfolded him, bound his hands, and left him on the road in Demra. The victim, Saiful Islam, filed a robbery case at the Ramna Model Thana on December 11, based on which the police launched an investigation. Further investigation, including the analysis of CCTV footage and intelligence gathering, led the police to seize the microbus used in the robbery on Thursday from the ECB Square area in the Cantonment area of Dhaka. The driver, Mohammad Kabir Hossain, was arrested. Based on his information, a raid was conducted at 1:40pm in front of Al Razzak Hotel in Bangshal, leading to the arrest of four more gang members: Sajjad, Sharif, Monir, and Habibur. Eight mobile phones, used in the robbery, were recovered from their possession. During preliminary interrogation, it was revealed that the arrested individuals were active members of a well-organized inter-district robbery gang. They used the identity of law enforcement agencies to carry out robberies across Dhaka and surrounding districts, following a strict chain of command. Read more:13 arrested during attempted robbery in Dhaka's Dhanmondi They addressed their leaders as “Sir” and distributed the loot according to pre-arranged shares. The gang consists of around 10-12 members, each playing specific roles in the execution of robberies. The arrested suspects were sent to court, and the investigation into the case continues. Efforts to recover other stolen goods and arrest remaining gang members are ongoing.

South Korean police are reportedly considering an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol in connection with his controversial imposition of martial law last week, Yonhap news agency reported Monday. The potential travel restriction comes as authorities investigate Yoon’s decision to enforce martial law, which has drawn widespread criticism. Repeated attempts to reach the police for comment were unsuccessful. On Sunday, prosecutors detained former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who is accused of advising Yoon to enact the brief but dramatic martial law. Kim's arrest marks the first detention in the ongoing probe. Read: Ex-South Korean defense chief held amid Martial Law controversy President Yoon narrowly escaped an impeachment attempt by opposition lawmakers on Sunday. A boycott by ruling party members prevented the parliamentary vote from reaching the two-thirds majority needed to suspend his powers. Source: With inputs from agencies

Police halted a protest march arranged by three associate bodies of the BNP — Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal — near Rampura Bridge in the capital for the sake of maintaining law and order. When the march reached the bridge from Nayapaltan around 12:35 pm, a large number of police blocked the way with barricades and urged the leaders of the three organisations to cooperate. Later, a six-member delegation of the protesters was allowed to go to the Indian High Commission to submit a memorandum. The delegation members included Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal central president Monayem Munna, general secretary Nurul Islam Nayan, Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal president SM Jilani, general secretary Rajib Ahsan, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. Earlier, the three associate bodies of the BNP began their road march towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Sunday morning to protest the attack on the Bangladesh mission in Agartala and the desecration of the country's national flag. The programme was also intended to register protests against what the party describes as an Indian plot to incite communal riots in Bangladesh. Thousands of leaders and activists from the three BNP associate bodies formally began the march from the party's Nayapaltan central office at 11:30am. Before launching the march, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, top leaders from the three organisations, also delivered brief speeches, condemning the Indian ruling party and media for attempting to disrupt religious harmony in Bangladesh through false and misleading campaigns. Read: BNP accuses India of 'direct aggression' in supporting Hasina Rizvi alleged that what the Indian ruling party is currently doing to bring Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh is nothing but direct aggression. “You (Indian govt) do not like the people of Bangladesh. You do not respect the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh,” he said in a brief speech before launching a protest march towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka from Nayapaltan. Rizvi said Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh and took refuge in India in the face of a strong mass uprising. “What the ruling party of India is doing to bring Sheikh Hasina back is nothing but direct aggression in the language of political science,” he said. Rizvi equivocally said the 180 million people of Bangladesh are prepared to resist Delhi’s hegemony. "We know how to use sophisticated equipment to safeguard our country in every domain, from air to sea to land. We have capable members in our smart military,” he observed. Read more: BNP begins protest march towards Indian High Commission  

Newly appointed Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali took the charge on Thursday, replacing Md Mainul Hasan. Upon his arrival at the DMP headquarters, the outgoing commissioner accorded reception to Sajjat Ali who was also given a guard of honour by a smartly turned out police contingent.     Sajjat Ali started his career as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) on January 21, 1986. He served as additional superintendent of police in Jhenaidah and also worked at Police Headquarters and Special Branch. He performed duty as deputy commissioner at DMP and superintendent of police in Narail, Bagerhat and Lakshmipur districts respectively. Sajjat has the experience of working as Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner and deputy inspector general (DIG) at Highway Police, Dhaka, Chattogram ranges and police headquarters after obtaining promotions. He was sent on forced retirement in 2016 when he was performing duty as additional IGP at the police headquarters. He was one of the members of the Police Reforms Commission formed by the interim government.   Sajjat participated in the United Nations peacekeeping mission and received various professional training at home and abroad. Baharul Alam assumes role as new IGP After the assumption of duty and handover process, the newly appointed DMP commissioner and senior officials formally bade farewell to outgoing commissioner Md Mainul Hasan.

Home Affairs Advisers Lieutenant General (retd) Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday said the country’s police stations must be transformed into centres of public trust. “Police stations must be designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment where citizens can seek assistance without fear. Officers should exhibit polite behaviour towards citizens, making police activities more people-friendly, efficient and relevant to current needs,” he said. The adviser made the remarks while addressing a meeting with officials from various law enforcement and administrative bodies, including the Armed Forces Division, Chattogram Range Police, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, Immigration and Passport Department, Prisons Directorate, Fire Service and Civil Defence, and Department of Narcotics Control. The meeting was held at the Dampara Police Lines in Chattogram. The adviser stressed strengthening community policing to address issues such as traffic congestion and crime control. He said 700 students in the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) area have already been trained and deployed for traffic management. “Discussions are underway to engage retired personnel from the armed forces, police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), who have experience in traffic control, within a set age limit.” Political affiliation will not be considered in police verification for government jobs: Reform Commission Chief To mitigate traffic congestion in major cities, the adviser suggested designating open spaces for public gatherings, and highlighted that Suhrawardy Udyan has already been allocated for such purposes in Dhaka, and similar arrangements should be made for Chattogram and other cities. He instructed that no public gatherings should be held in metropolitan areas without prior permission. Regarding concerns about rising crimes, the adviser expressed alarm over top criminals securing bail and re-engaging in unlawful activities. He asked law enforcement agencies to immediately re-arrest such people and place them under strict surveillance. On the issue of growing cybercrime and misinformation on social media, he called for heightened vigilance and action against offenders. The adviser remarked that while there have been improvements in law and order since August 5, the situation may not yet meet public expectations. He directed the police to focus on their primary responsibilities and reduce involvement in protocol duties. While briefing journalists following the meeting, the adviser urged the media to report truthfully. "Our media has a reputation for integrity, unlike some neighbouring countries where misinformation is rampant," he said, adding that the Bangladeshi press must counter such false narratives. Responding to questions about a recently docked ship from Pakistan, the adviser clarified that the ship had arrived from a Middle Eastern country, with necessary permissions, carrying essential Ramadan goods such as dates and onions. He questioned why there should be objections to such shipments, adding, "Spreading  rumours about these matters is an act of hostility towards the nation." The meeting, presided over by CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz, was attended by several senior officials, including Inspector General of Police Mohammad Maynul Islam, RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman, DIG of Chattogram Range Md Ahsan Habib Palash, Additional Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Nurullah Nuri, and Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said that now is the time for the police force to prove themselves by providing service.  “The interim government is a non-political one. With the absence of political influence, there is opportunity to work with honesty, efficiency, and impartiality. The police force should utilise this opportunity to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation,” he said. The adviser made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at a views exchange meeting with members of the Armed Forces Division, various police units, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, Prisons Department, Fire Service and Civil Defense Department, and Narcotics Control Department at the Barishal Police Lines. The adviser also emphasised the crucial role of law enforcement in controlling prices. He said, “The law enforcers play an important role in controlling the prices of goods. The members of the forces have to stop extortion and stay away from it.”  Failure to do so would tarnish the force's reputation, he said. The adviser said, “No one can be arrested in civil clothes. No one can be brought under the law without identity.”  The adviser also mentioned that the condition of police stations, including food and sanitation facilities, was not satisfactory. He directed senior officials to focus on resolving these issues for police personnel. He said the armed forces had been granted magisterial power to assist in maintaining law and order, adding, “The term would be extended further and the BGB and Coast Guard would be included.”  While briefing reporters after the meeting, the adviser said, “The current government is trying to transform the police into a people-friendly force. To this end, efforts such as the formation of a police reform commission are ongoing.” He remarked that the law and order situation in Barishal is relatively better compared to other areas. He further instructed the police to be more vigilant in preventing various public disturbances, including road blockades due to various demands.  Inspector General of Police Md Moinul Islam, Director General of RAB A.K.M. Shahidur Rahman, Divisional Commissioner of Barishal Md Raihan Kawser, were present at the time, among others.  

Police recovered the body of a 17-year-old boy in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj on Monday. The body was discovered hanging in a room at the house of Zainal Sheikh, located near Sidweshwari Bazar in Tongibari upazila. Md Mahidul Islam, the officer-in-charge of Tongibari Police Station, confirmed the matter. The deceased, identified as Siam, was the son of Shafiqul Islam from Hirakanda village in Kalmakanda upazila, Netrokona. 17-year-old body drowns in Cox’s Bazar beach Siam's mother, Sulada Begum, stated that he was mentally unstable. It is believed that Siam locked the room and hanged himself with a rope when no one was watching. He was rushed to the upazila health complex, where the on-duty doctor pronounced him dead. The body was recovered following reports from the scene. As the family raised no complaints, the body was handed over to them.

Overspeeding of buses and movement on the wrong side of the road were blamed for the deadly road accident that left five people killed and 27 others injured in Faridpur Sadar upazila early Tuesday, according to authorities. Maruf Hossain, assistant superintendent of Faridpur Highway Police, said the collision occurred between a Jhenaidah-bound bus of Green Express and a Dhaka-bound bus of Khagrachhari Paribahan carrying some 40 workers for brick kilns when the Green Express bus was running on wrong side in Mallikpur area of Faridpur Sadar around 4am. He held over speed and movement on the opposite side responsible for the accident that claimed five lives including supervisor and helper of the Khagrachhari Paribahan. The deceased were identified as Abu Bakkar, Babu, Pikul, Md Mohsin, Nahid. Of them, Moshin was supervisor and Nahid was helper. Read: 20 dead, 24 injured in Sylhet division road accidents in Sept The workers were going to Dhaka from Satkhira’s Shyamnagar upazila to seasonally work for brick kilns in Dhaka, he said, adding that most workers were asleep during the accident. All the 27 were admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital in Faridpur while condition of the six injured was stated to be critical, he said. One of the injured was shifted to Dhaka for better treatment, said Dr Mahmuduzzaman, a physician of the hospital. Faridpur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Kamrul Hasan Molla and Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Abudl Jail visited the spot on Tuesday morning. The DC said each family of the deceased was distributed Tk 25, 000 and Tk 10, 000 to each family of the 17 injured. Read more: Two killed in Dinajpur road accident He said a probe committee will be formed to find out why such accidents happen there repeatedly. Echoing highway police officer Maruf, SP said the doziness of the drivers might be the reason behind the accident. District labour organisations suggested keeping two drivers for a long route journey.

Police have detained two youths who were in a group that rendered songs, including one having Islamic theme, at JM Sen Hall Puja mandap on Thursday evening. Kazi Md Tarek Aziz, additional deputy commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), shared this at a press conference at the media centre of the CMP on Friday morning. The detainees are Shahidul Karim, 42, a teacher of Tanzimul Ummah Madrasa, and Md Nurul Islam, a teacher of Darul Irfan Academy. The filing of a case in this regard was underway, he said. Chattogram City Puja Celebration Committee’s Joint General Secretary Sajal Dutta had earlier requested Chattogram Cultural Academy to perform songs on the stage on Thursday night, he said. As per the request, six members of the academy performed two songs and one of the songs hurt religious sentiments of the Hindu community, the ADC said. Read: Six youths to be arrested for disrupting Puja celebration in Ctg Police are still looking for other members of the group. They are Abdullah Iqbal (30), Rony (28), Golam Mostafa (27) and Mamun (36). They sang 'Shudhu Muslims er Lagi Aseniko Islam' and Shah Abdul Karim's famous song 'Agee Ki Sundar Din Kataitam'. A video of the incident went viral on social media, with some claiming that the offenders were Shibir members, although the identities of the youths have yet to be confirmed. Rumour Scanner, an independent Bangladeshi fact-checking website that debunks fake news, myths, and misinformation, confirmed that the viral video was real and unedited. Read more: Shibir denies involvement in Islamic song performance at Chattogram puja mandap Being informed, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanom rushed to the spot and said that the authorities would arrest six youths within 48 hours who took the stage at a puja mandap and sang two songs, including an Islamic one, claiming they would only sing a patriotic song.

The government has sent police’s Special Branch (SB) chief Md Shah Alam into retirement on Thursday. A gazette notification, signed by Abu Sayeed, deputy secretary of the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was issued on Thursday in this regard. According to Section 43(1) of the Public Service Act-2018, Additional Inspector General Shah Alam has been sent into retirement upon completion of his 59-year of service career, it reads. Read: 7 police officials sent on forced retirement Earlier on August 13 this year, he was appointed as the head of the SB. He served the Bangladesh Railway as deputy inspector general. He joined Bangladesh police as assistant police super on January 20, 1991. Read more: Three army officers sent into forced retirement, one dismissed