[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Police and Rapid Action Battalion

[Saif]

Another major reshuffle in police

As part of another major reshuffle in the police service, 64 officers, from the ranks of deputy inspector general (DIG) to the superintendent of police (SP), have been transferred and attached to different police units across the country.

www.thedailystar.net

Another major reshuffle in police

The police leadership needs to explore how it can financially and socially help the aggrieved families that have been victims of police actions. File photo: Star

As part of another major reshuffle in the police service, 64 officers, from the ranks of deputy inspector general (DIG) to the superintendent of police (SP), have been transferred and attached to different police units across the country.

According to two separate notifications issued by the home ministry yesterday, 48 officials have been transferred to different police units, while 16 have been transferred but have not been assigned duty.

Being transferred and attached to different police units without any assigned duty means being made Officers on Special Duty (OSD), according to insiders.

The DIG of Police Staff College, Nazmur Karim Khan, has been made the commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP), according to the ministry notification signed by Abu Sayed, deputy secretary of the home ministry.

Earlier on October 24, the former GMP commissioner, Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, was promoted to the post of additional IGP and made the chief of the Special Branch of police. Since then, the post remained vacant.

Meanwhile, the other 47 officials were transferred to different police units like Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Special Branch, in-service training centre, tourist police, and Criminal Investigation Department.

In a separate ministry notification, also signed by Deputy Secretary Abu Sayed, one DIG, six additional DIGs, and nine SPs have been attached to different offices.

An SP rank officer, attached to a range DIG's office in Chattogram, said, wishing to remain unnamed, "I was neither involved in crimes, nor are there any allegations against me, but still I have been made OSD. This is all because I was posted as an SP during the last government tenure."

The police service has seen a lot of transfers and changes since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 following a mass uprising.

At least 400 police personnel have been transferred, while 100 others, attached to different police units, were on duty at major police units like the DMP. All the posts of divisional range DIGs, metropolitan commissioners, and district SPs now have new faces.

The role of the police during the mass uprising that led to the fall of the AL government faced public outrage as officers used excessive force to suppress the protests. Many police personnel opened fire on protesters, killing hundreds and maiming many others.

In the 15 years of Awami League rule, many police officers acted as though they were activists of the party to get desired posts and promotions.

They were also known to have used excessive force on the opposition and dissenters.​

 

[Saif]

Rab must be rebuilt from the ground up

But without political reforms, any change risks being superficial

www.thedailystar.net

Rab must be rebuilt from the ground up
But without political reforms, any change risks being superficial

VISUAL: STAR

There is no doubt that reforming the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) has become an urgent priority. After over a decade and a half of courting allegations of rights abuses, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances—to the point of incurring US sanctions in 2021—Rab has undeniably lost public trust. And a mere rebranding or restructuring won't restore it. Against this backdrop, a report by this daily has revealed that Rab authorities are considering changing its name, logo, and uniform, as well as drafting a new law to regulate its operations. Currently, as a specialised unit of police, it operates under the police ordinance.

But such cosmetic changes cannot bring about sustainable reform. The police force itself serves as a cautionary example. Like police, Rab was not solely responsible for the crimes it committed as it operated at the behest of an autocratic regime. According to Ain o Salish Kendra, Rab was involved in at least 467 crossfires between 2015 and 2023. Its image as a "death squad" owes as much to its poor accountability mechanisms as to the vested interests of the then-ruling camp. So, how can we prevent future abuses of Rab when political power so often overrides legal safeguards? Can Rab be reformed without addressing our underlying political culture?

This is a question not only for the interim government but also for all major political parties. For now, several rights advocates have suggested disbanding Rab and rebuilding it from the ground up. This would require not just reshaping its mission and operational guidelines but also putting all personnel through a rigorous orientation process to instil respect for human rights and lawful procedure. Ensuring justice for the officers guilty of past abuses would also set a critical precedent for future compliance.

Rab's recruitment model presents another key issue, as it involves seconding officers from different forces including police, army, navy, and air force. This setup places military officers in potentially compromising roles, raising concerns about not only the viability of Rab's mission but also the integrity of the military itself. Equally important is the matter of oversight. Rab's accountability mechanisms must be totally rebuilt to ensure that its errant officers cannot evade justice, regardless of their political affiliations.

Ultimately, we must remember that true reform requires transformation from within, and this is what we should be aiming for. Without genuine efforts from all stakeholders, we risk only going through the motions of reforms that may put the public at risk again in the future. We owe it to the past victims of Rab and to the future of law enforcement in Bangladesh to rebuild Rab with a clear mandate for justice and human rights.​

 

[Saif]

Justice for Limon would be step towards police reform

VICTIMS of gross human rights violation in the hands of the law enforcement agencies who were denied justice during the Awami League regime are now coming forward to seek legal redress. This is a first step towards police reforms. Limon Hossain, a victim of attempted extrajudicial killing...

www.newagebd.net

Justice for Limon would be step towards police reform
14 November, 2024, 00:00

VICTIMS of gross human rights violation in the hands of the law enforcement agencies who were denied justice during the Awami League regime are now coming forward to seek legal redress. This is a first step towards police reforms. Limon Hossain, a victim of attempted extrajudicial killing, lodged a complaint with the International Crime Tribunal against the deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her security adviser and eight others on November 12. On March 23, 2011, when Limon was a college student in Jhalakathi, some Rapid Action Battalion personnel shot him in the left leg, taking him for a ‘notorious criminal.’ On that day, the force filed two false cases against him for possessing arms and police obstruction. Not only was he accused in false cases, he was also denied treatment that led to the amputation of the leg. Three weeks later, Limon’s mother filed a case against five battalion personnel for attempted murder and maiming his son. The complaint lodged with the International Crimes Tribunal has, therefore, created an opportunity for redress against the wrong done to Limon Hossain.

Even more tragic is that Limon’s ordeal did not end with the amputation. At every step in his journey to seek justice, his family faced obstacles; procedural violations were reported. Initially, local police refused to register a complaint against the battalion personnel. The family later secured a court order that directed the police to record the case against the accused. In August 2012, while the victim suffered in prison hospital on false charges, the police submitted a report finding no evidence of battalion involvement in the case, but they submitted a charge sheet against him and he was indicted for the crimes he did not commit. In the face of pressure from local and international rights groups, the government in July 2013 issued an official notification withdrawing the two cases that the force had filed against Limon. The charges against him were dropped, but no directive was given by the government to investigate the procedural violation and systemic failure of the law enforcement agencies in bringing perpetrators to book. Limon’s experience resonates with many other accounts of the victims of extrajudicial killings.

The case illustrates that custodial torture and extrajudicial killing took an endemic turn under the Awami League regime that should be addressed. The government should, therefore, ensure an investigation of Limon’s case, bring all perpetrators to justice and provide compensation for the physical harm done to him. It should also take action against all those involved in covering up the crime of attempted extrajudicial killing. The case at hand also raises serious systemic concern that the recently formed police reforms commission should seriously consider, particularly the issue of the abuse of power and corruption in the justice delivery system. For any reform steps to be effective, the interim government should establish legal accountability and justice for all cases of rights violations in the hands of law enforcers.​

 

[Saif]

Now is the time for police force to prove themselves, says, Adviser Jahangir

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has 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, ef

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Now is the time for police force to prove themselves, says, Adviser Jahangir
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Nov 14, 2024 22:25
Updated :
Nov 14, 2024 22:25

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has 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 on Thursday 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.​

 

[Saif]

Baharul made new IGP, Sazzad new DMP commissioner

Former head of the Special Branch Baharul Alam has been appointed as the new Inspector General of Police, and Sheikh Sazzad Hossain has been named the new commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Adviser Asif Mahmud announced their appointments during a press briefing on Wednesday. The governme

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Baharul made new IGP, Sazzad new DMP commissioner
FE Online Report
Published :
Nov 20, 2024 20:15
Updated :
Nov 20, 2024 20:40

Former head of the Special Branch Baharul Alam has been appointed as the new Inspector General of Police, and Sheikh Sazzad Hossain has been named the new commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Adviser Asif Mahmud announced their appointments during a press briefing on Wednesday.

The government has made the new appointments to bring dynamism to the police administration, he said.

More changes in the administration will take place to ensure good governance, he added.

Baharul Alam, who headed the Special Branch in 2007-08, retired from service in 2000.​

 

[Saif]

Crowd control: Police seek to stop use of lethal weapon

The police may stop using lethal weapons and lead pellets for crowd control as their widespread use during the July mass uprising led to massive casualties and global criticism.

www.thedailystar.net

Crowd control: Police seek to stop use of lethal weapon
Recommendations to be submitted to IGP, ministry

The police may stop using lethal weapons and lead pellets for crowd control as their widespread use during the July mass uprising led to massive casualties and global criticism.

The process is underway to make time-befitting regulations on the use of firearms, said Enamul Haque Sagor, assistant inspector general (media) at the Police Headquarters.

The Police Headquarters has already formed a committee, led by a deputy inspector general, to recommend non-lethal methods for controlling crowds and unlawful assemblies.

"We have been discussing banning the use of long barrel firearms even in case of rowdy protests," said an additional inspector general seeking anonymity.

Police will use small arms like in developed countries in extreme cases of necessity in line with the UN guidelines to which Bangladesh is a signatory, he added.

The committee's recommendations will be given to the IGP for review and then to the ministry for finalisation, said a committee member.

Around 1,500 people lost their lives during the July uprising, while 19,931 others got injured, said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus while addressing the nation on the completion of 100 days of the interim government on November 17.

Members of the police, Rab, Border Guard Bangladesh and other forces fired on the protesters during demonstrations that began on July 14. Many victims suffered permanent disabilities, with more than 400 losing eyesight due to lead pellet injuries.

The Daily Star analysed the pattern of injuries of 204 people who died as of August 1 and found that almost 95 percent of them were killed by bullets, including live rounds and shotgun pellets.

Of them, 113 were shot in the head, chest, stomach and abdomen.

Lawyers for Energy, Environment and Development analysed 100 cases filed with 22 police stations in Dhaka and Chattogram.

The analysis showed that lethal weapons like 7.62mm semi-automatic rifles, submachine guns, BD08 assault rifles, Taurus 9mm revolvers and Type 54 pistols had been used.

The law enforcement agencies gave priority to using lethal weapons over other methods of riot control, the analysis showed.

During the 1971 Liberation War, the police put up resistance against the Pakistan Army at Rajarbagh Police Lines with .303 rifles.

Those rifles have become outdated, and police have periodically modernised their arsenal, introducing advanced lethal weapons like 7.62mm sniper firearms, LMG (Light Machine Gun) and SMG (Submachine Gun) along with Chinese rifles.

In October 2014, a meeting involving various stakeholders, including representatives from the home ministry and Police Headquarters, was held to discuss the procurement of lethal firearms including 7.62mm rifles.

Senior officials then justified the procurement saying such weapons were necessary for combating criminals equipped with sophisticated firearms, especially in the diverse geographical landscapes of Bangladesh's hilly and plain regions and dreaded militants.

However, during the recent protests, police and other forces used these military-grade weapons widely against unarmed demonstrators.

"Police actions deviated from the existing domestic laws, which themselves fall short of UN standards," said a committee member, criticising the continued reliance on colonial-era legislation designed to suppress dissent.

The UN guidelines on the use of force by law enforcement state that public assemblies may be deemed unlawful under domestic laws for various reasons, such as failing to meet procedural requirements or violating restrictions.

However, many such reasons, like procedural noncompliance, do not render an assembly unlawful under international human rights law.

"…In any case, the mere fact that an assembly is considered unlawful under domestic legislation does not justify the use of force by law enforcement officials," reads the guidelines.

The committee will also recommend what extent of force can be used when and in what situation.

Before using any force to disperse unlawful assembly, police have to take into consideration the reasons for the assembly and take peaceful means to settle their problems, the official said.

PROCUREMENT AND USE OF ADVANCED WEAPONRY

A number of police officers said the force has had SMG and LMG for many years and those assault rifles were to guard police stations in war-like situations or any other emergency.

However, the use of weapons in crowd control began on a limited scale in 2012 and 2013 and it continued to increase during Awami League's rule as people became hostile to the government and police for issues like holding farcical elections and taking hardline on political opponents, they added.

A meeting in October 2014, including representatives from the home ministry and Police Headquarters, decided to procure lethal firearms including 7.62mm rifles.

The decision to acquire the weapons was influenced by the events surrounding a Hefajat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Chattar on May 5, 2013 and protests by Jamaat-Shibir men against the trial of war criminals, an official who was in the meeting told The Daily Star recently.

The government also considered their potential use to suppress dissent.

The first batch of weapons arrived in 2015 from Italy.

The weapons were intended for specialised units to tackle special situations but not for use against unarmed people, said a retired additional inspector general of police who attended the home ministry meeting.

"Such actions are unacceptable and the responsibility lies with those who misuse their authority," he added.

The issue of using lethal weapons indiscriminately came to the fore after the fall of the AL government on August 5 when former Home Affairs Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain on several occasions questioned how such "military grade" weapons were given to police.

Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy made several Facebook posts claiming that Bangladesh police did not use 7.62mm rifles and claimed outsiders opened fire with 7.62 firearms on the students.

But, purchase documents on the Bangladesh Police's website show police have long been using 7.62 sniper rifles and 7.62mm bullets.

The latest such move was made in March when the Police Headquarters floated a tender inviting bids for buying 50 7.62mm sniper rifles.

Earlier in March 2023, the Police Headquarters purchased 30 7.62 sniper rifles. Officials said the weapons were purchased keeping the January 2024 general elections in mind.

Besides, police authorities procured a large consignment of 15,000 pieces of 7.62mm semi-automatic rifles in September 2019 and August 2018, according to the website of Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority.​

 

[Vsdoc]

Now is the time for police force to prove themselves, says, Adviser Jahangir

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has 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, ef

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Now is the time for police force to prove themselves, says, Adviser Jahangir
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Nov 14, 2024 22:25
Updated :
Nov 14, 2024 22:25

View attachment 10605

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has 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 on Thursday 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.​

Forehead grapes have started appearing on our eastern flank.

@Krishna with Flute @Guru Dutt

 

[Bilal9]

Police has lost confidence of the people and they have lost confidence in themselves.

It is easy to say start again but that is simply not possible and army can not and should not undertake the job of the police.

Only real option is to rehabilitate the current force and start building up a new competent force slowly. During this transition we need to manage with certain level of disfunction.

Thanks for your opinion MB444 bhai and welcome as a regular poster to our new forum.

The ranks of the police are filled with rogue Chhatra League members, and as if this was not enough, many of them have gotten used to corruption/bribery and irregular use of govt. resources. To clean house and pick out the rogue Chhatra League elements will require a long time, but we have no alternative I guess.