Initial evidence of police inaction and negligence of duty has been found in connection with the attack, looting and vandalism at the Radda MCH-FP Centre, also known as Radda Clinic, in Mirpur, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Sunday.
He said the officer-in-charge (OC) of Shah Ali Police Station had been withdrawn immediately and departmental proceedings were being initiated against him.
The home minister made the remarks at a press briefing on the law-and-order situation and contemporary issues at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday afternoon.
Regarding the attack on the health centre, Salahuddin said the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner had been instructed to inspect the scene. Following the visit, police arrested nine suspects and recovered a number of looted items and other evidence, he said.
“Strict legal action will be taken against all those involved in the incident,” the minister said.
According to a press release issued by the ministry, Salahuddin also said any attempt to deteriorate the law-and-order situation would be dealt with firmly.
He said strict action was being taken against criminals regardless of their political affiliation.
“A criminal has no political identity. A criminal is a criminal,” he said.
Regarding the regular and administrative transfer of police officers, the minister said transfer would not be the final measure if an officer was found negligent in his duties or involved in criminal activity.
“If any officer is involved in sedition or any other criminal offence, legal action is being taken against him through regular criminal cases alongside strict departmental measures,” he said.
Referring to the investigation, forensic examination, filing of a case on charges of sedition and arrest of the former officer-in-charge of Cantonment Police Station, the home minister said criminal activities within the police force would not be tolerated.