DHAKA: Bangladesh’s newly appointed police chief on Wednesday offered an apology for the conduct of officers during deadly protests and vowed a “fair and impartial” probe into the killings of students, common people and the police. “In the current protests… our previous responsible officials were not able to fulfil their duties as per the expectations of the countrymen,” Inspector General of Police Md.Mainul Islam said.
“Some unprofessional officers did not follow the accepted principles of applying force and violated human rights. It is because of them that this ongoing violence and casualties have occurred. I, as the chief of police, apologise on behalf of Bangladesh Police for that,” said the new IGP. Asked if they will be punished, he said, “Action will be taken as per police regulations.”
More than 400 people were killed during weeks of clashes between protesters and security forces. Among 44 dead bodies brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Monday, many of them were young men and almost all had bullet wounds.
Since Sheikh Hasina fled, police reported mobs launching revenge attacks on her allies, as well as on police stations and officers. Police unions have gone on strike in the wake of violence against them. “Many police officials have been injured, killed, and tortured because of some overly ambitious officials,” the IGP said, adding that he had asked police units to end their strike and return to duty on Thursday.
Mainul Islam replaces Habibur Rahman in a reshuffle that comes hours after Prez Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed Muhammad Yunus as the head of an interim govt According to a notification issued by Bangladesh’s ministry of home affairs, the police and the elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have undergone major leadership change in a bid to bring back discipline and maintain social order.
Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rhman has been made director general of RAB, which has been accused of torture and disappearances in the past. RAB DG Md Harun-Or-Rashid has been relieved and attached to the police as additional IGP.
“Some unprofessional officers did not follow the accepted principles of applying force and violated human rights. It is because of them that this ongoing violence and casualties have occurred. I, as the chief of police, apologise on behalf of Bangladesh Police for that,” said the new IGP. Asked if they will be punished, he said, “Action will be taken as per police regulations.”
More than 400 people were killed during weeks of clashes between protesters and security forces. Among 44 dead bodies brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Monday, many of them were young men and almost all had bullet wounds.
Since Sheikh Hasina fled, police reported mobs launching revenge attacks on her allies, as well as on police stations and officers. Police unions have gone on strike in the wake of violence against them. “Many police officials have been injured, killed, and tortured because of some overly ambitious officials,” the IGP said, adding that he had asked police units to end their strike and return to duty on Thursday.
Mainul Islam replaces Habibur Rahman in a reshuffle that comes hours after Prez Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed Muhammad Yunus as the head of an interim govt According to a notification issued by Bangladesh’s ministry of home affairs, the police and the elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have undergone major leadership change in a bid to bring back discipline and maintain social order.
Additional IGP AKM Shahidur Rhman has been made director general of RAB, which has been accused of torture and disappearances in the past. RAB DG Md Harun-Or-Rashid has been relieved and attached to the police as additional IGP.