Police commanders are facing increased accountability pressure following a series of flash processions by the Awami League, whose activities are banned in Bangladesh, with field-level officers warned that they could face action if such activities take place in their areas.
The warnings came after more than 100 Awami League leaders and activists brought out a flash procession in Gulshan on September 11 despite police presence and surveillance.
The incident was followed by the withdrawal of Gulshan police station Officer-in-Charge Daud Hossain and Gulshan Division Deputy Commissioner M Tanvir Ahmed five days later. Both were attached to DMP headquarters, although the official orders cited administrative reasons and did not explicitly link the moves to the procession.
Senior police officials told Dhaka Tribune that new instructions have since been issued at the field level, including increased patrols and surveillance, to prevent Awami League leaders and activists from carrying out political activities anywhere in the country.
They said deputy commissioners and officers-in-charge have been warned that they could be held responsible if flash processions or other Awami League activities take place in their areas despite the measures.
Departmental disciplinary action could also be taken, officials said.
The warnings have created concern within the police, with officials discussing when and where flash processions might take place and who could be held responsible.
The Awami League and its affiliated organizations have recently held flash processions in Gulshan, Uttara, Pirojpur town, Maijdee in Noakhali, Hathazari in Chittagong, Tongi in Gazipur, Barisal, Bagerhat and Netrakona.
Meanwhile, 11 senior police officials, including the chiefs of the Special Branch and Tourist Police, were transferred on Thursday in a major reshuffle. Six additional inspectors general and five deputy inspectors general were given new postings.
Questions over police role
The ruling BNP's acting secretary general, home minister and senior leaders have questioned how more than 100 Awami League leaders and activists were able to gather and bring out a procession in an important area like Gulshan on September 11 despite the presence and surveillance of law enforcement agencies.
The following day, at an event at the Press Club, BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said: “The banned political party is suddenly trying to show itself. But how is it doing so? What are the intelligence agencies doing here? ... The police administration, what are they doing?”
Three days after the incident, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said at the Secretariat that the government had prior intelligence information about the Awami League procession in Gulshan.
He said police may not have anticipated that the group could carry out such an activity after coming to the area to offer Friday prayers.
The Home Minister also said there was “no opportunity to call the police's role in the incident a failure.”
Gulshan procession
On September 11, before Friday prayers, more than 100 Awami League leaders and activists gathered in the Gulshan-1 and Uttara areas of Dhaka and brought out flash processions.
In Gulshan, police moved to disperse the procession after crude bombs were detonated. Police fired rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.
Two people were detained at the scene and several crude bombs were recovered. The two were later shown as arrested in an Anti-Terrorism Act case filed with Gulshan police station.
More than 100 Awami League leaders and activists have also been accused in the case.
Officials said another 81 people were later arrested after police reviewed CCTV footage from the scene and surrounding areas, as well as videos of procession participants circulated on social media.
The Gulshan OC and DC were subsequently withdrawn and attached to DMP headquarters. The DMP said the moves were made for administrative reasons.
Audio recording under investigation
The latest concerns also come amid an investigation into an audio recording that circulated on social media containing comments about the government and various forces.
Dhaka Cantonment police station's withdrawn OC Md Rakibul Hasan, who came under discussion over the recording, was taken to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch office on Minto Road on Thursday night.
A DB joint commissioner confirmed the information, saying Rakibul Hasan was taken to the DB office as part of the ongoing investigation into the circulated audio.
In the recording, a person can be heard mentioning Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in a crimes against humanity case, and saying that if she returns to Bangladesh next December, police “will not be able to do anything.”
The person can also be heard saying that police on the streets are very weak.
The recording also contains allegations that “senior officials in the police are leaning towards the government” and are involved in “bribery in postings.”
Claims circulated on social media that the audio belongs to police official Md Rakibul Hasan.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune on Friday afternoon, DB chief Shafiqul Islam said Rakibul Hasan had been withdrawn over the circulated audio.
A three-member investigation committee has been formed to verify the authenticity of the recording, he said.
Concerns over retirement, transfers
The pressure over accountability comes as many police officials are already uncertain about compulsory retirement, punishment over their previous work, transfers and promotions.
The issue causing the greatest concern among police officials is compulsory retirement.
Police officials said recent administrative decisions by the government have created uncertainty within the force. The concern is particularly high among officials who held important responsibilities during the previous Awami League government.
Sources said the names of 1,490 police personnel have so far appeared in cases filed over shootings at protesters following the July mass uprising.
In addition, 141 officials have been sent into compulsory retirement, 142 have been made Officers on Special Duty (OSD) or attached elsewhere, and 93 have been temporarily suspended over allegations of fleeing.
In the first five months of the current government alone, at least 67 officials have been sent into compulsory retirement.
Of them, 17 senior officials were sent into retirement on May 3, 33 on July 5 and another 17 on July 23.
Police officials said such decisions have created fresh concern among officers who joined the force or performed important duties during the previous government.
According to them, simply having served under a particular government or held an important position should not become the basis for determining someone's future.
Police position
Police said they are looking into the recent incidents and that action will be taken if anyone's negligence in performing their duties is proven.
DB chief Shafiqul Islam said the Awami League is a banned party in Bangladesh and that its processions, meetings and other political activities are illegal.
“If they violate the law and engage in illegal activities, action will be taken,” he said.
Intelligence surveillance of Awami League leaders and activists has been increased, he said, adding that police are working to prevent unexpected incidents.
Hasina's return
Regarding Sheikh Hasina's return to Bangladesh, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said at an event in Brahmanbaria on Friday afternoon that if the former prime minister returns to the country, she will be received in handcuffs.
He said she would be tried on Bangladeshi soil for crimes against humanity committed against the people of Bangladesh.
