Tackling the Hefazat-e-Islam’s rampage in the capital on May 5, 2013, was the most challenging and memorable task during the four years of service as the Dhaka city police chief, the outgoing DMP commissioner has said.
“While serving as a commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) for four years, two months and 27 days, the most challenging task was tackling the day of Hefazat-e-Islam violence,” said Benazir Ahmed on his final day in a DMP uniform before moving on to become the new RAB chief.
Exchanging greetings with journalists at the DMP community centre, Benazir also claimed that the years 2012 and 2013 had been particularly challenging for him as the city’s police chief.
Benazir said many journalists were injured on the day of Hefazat’s violence, and rescuing them safely was one of the most challenging tasks for the police. “However, the good news is we had overcome all the barriers and achieved success,” he said.
On May 5, 2013, supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam unleashed unprecedented levels of rampage in the capital surrounding their rally in the Shapla Chattar. Clashes, vandalism and arson that took place on the day left many people dead and caused damages worth millions of taka.
Thanking the prime minister for her guidance on many issues, the outgoing DMP chief also thanked journalists for their support to the police force. When reporters prepared investigative reports, they are able to seek out information like police officials, he said.
Terming Dhaka a mini-Bangladesh, Benazir said the city was a miniature version of the entire country as people from all districts and villages were present in the capital.
“My colleagues who are listening to my words provide security to this mini-Bangladesh and I hope that they would continue the effort in future,” Benazir added.
Among others, Additional Police Commissioner Mili Biswash, Deputy Commissioner Maruf Hossain and high officials of the DMP were also present at the programme, which was organised for media workers to bid farewell to the outgoing DMP commissioner.
“Benazir Ahmed will join as a director general of Rapid Action Battalion on January 7 and the new [DMP] commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia will start office from the same day,” said Deputy Commissioner of DMP Masudur Rahman.
