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Published : 08 Aug 2024, 01:11 PM
Newly-appointed Inspector General of Police Md Mainul Islam has issued a 12-point charter of instructions, including one to ensure the count of all lost weapons and ammunition of police and another on the suspension of all activities by police unions and associations.
The new IGP took on the responsibility for the force on Wednesday in the wake of a complete breakdown of law and order following attacks on police stations and casualties of a large number of police members across the country amid the unrest following the fall of the Awami League government.
Sheikh Hasina was ousted amid a student-led mass movement on Monday. After that, attacks began at different police stations and establishments across the country.
Vandalism and looting took place at many police stations, leaving them in ruins. Many police personnel suffered injuries and others fled to safety.
The incidents created an unprecedented situation without police service across Bangladesh. The Ministry of Public Administration appointed Mainul as the country’s new police chief late on Tuesday night.
Mainul took the initiative to bring police back to work after he joined the force as IGP early on Wednesday.
He ordered police personnel to return to their respective units by Thursday evening.
An office order titled ‘Emergency instruction on reinstatement of law and order across the country’ signed by the new police chief said, “As a result of various prevailing irregularities, corruption and exclusionary activities, an unprecedented mass demand was established through the newly-organised Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.”
Mainul also blamed the state of affairs in the country on the decisions of some ambitious and unprofessional officers.
The IGP said measures are being taken for the treatment of those police personnel who suffered injuries and effective steps are being taken to ensure justice for each killing.
All facilities will be made available according to the law for every police personnel affected by the violence, he said.
His order included a 12-point list of instructions for restoration of the police ‘chain of command’ and discipline.
1. Security of all police units, including Rajarbagh Police Lines, POM, Armed Police Battalion (APBn), and all metropolitan and district-level police lines must be ensured. Discipline of the force and chain of command must be restored and re-established.
2. All officers and forces of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Rajarbagh Police Lines, POM, APBn, all metropolitan and district police, all training institutes and specialised police units have to join work by Thursday evening.
3. Officers and forces of all metropolitan, district, naval, railway and highway police stations have to join the police lines of their respective units within 24 hours.
4. The operations control room at the Police Headquarters must be activated, along with the distribution of responsibilities and establishment of effective communication across the country.
5. Effective measures must be taken to ensure the morale and welfare of the force.
6. The burial of police personnel who died in the violence must be completed in a short period of time. Treatment must be confirmed for the injured.
7. All documents including the count of arms and ammunition of police, count of lost arms and ammunition, CC (Command Certificate) must be preserved.
8. Necessary guards should be deployed immediately to ensure the security of all arsenals. Senior officers will ensure compliance with existing regulations regarding the security of the armoury, the issue and deposit of arms and ammunition per police regulations.
9. Metropolitan police commissioners, Range DIG officers and district superintendents of police will form a Citizen Security Committee comprising of respected citizens, professionals, student representatives, political and public figures in their respective areas. This committee will assist in maintaining security at police stations and respective areas during emergencies.
10. All police officers and forces have been directed to deposit arms and ammunition at their respective police lines or at the nearest armoury from their possession.
11. All unions and associations of Bangladesh police will remain suspended.
12. For the sake of discipline, police officers and personnel at all levels cannot make any statement, claim, comment or reply about police activities under the banner of an individual, party, batch, society and association through the media or social media.
The order will take effect immediately.
