* IGP disagrees with DMP Commissioner’s comment that there are no militants in the country
* 1,500 cases filed across the country including 600 murder cases since uprising
* Urges police personnel not to make unfair demands
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Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has said that instructions have been given to all levels of the police not to arrest or harass any innocent person.
Nowadays, people write their complaints themselves and bring them in. The police must register these as cases.
It does not matter if they are true or false, there is no scope for verification, he said.
IGP has also said that arrests cannot be made just because a case is filed. Action will be taken against those found responsible during the investigation.
The Police Chief Baharul Alam made the remarks at a press conference in the capital's Foreign Service Academy on Monday afternoon. The press conference was organized to mark Police Week.
Responding to a question about harassing innocent people by filing cases at a press conference, the IGP said, "The case is not false, the case is true. However, we cannot stop increasing the number of accused. We also have this limitation in law."
After August 5, it was seen that the crimes may have been committed by five or ten people, but for malicious purposes, to extort money, to harass someone, and to intimidate, cases were filed against 300 people, he said.
"We want to close the place where someone is harassed by filing a case. That's why I often call the police station."
IGP requested that the accused inform the higher authorities of the police if they are harassed.
DMP Commissioner's comment that there are no militants in the country, in the past, dramas were created by painting terrorism as a cover. Responding to the reporter's question about the matter, the IGP disagreed with the DMP Commissioner's statement.
In his words, "No one can guarantee that there are absolutely no militants in the country.
He also said that there are many organizations in the country working against militancy. Many have previously been detained on charges of militancy, many have served prison sentences."
"We know the history of JMB dating back to 2005. We are vigilant about those who are involved in such activities. At least we can say that we have the capacity to deal with this network," he added.
Regarding the cases and police involvement related to the uprising, the IGP said, "Investigations are being conducted against the police officers who opened fire and ordered the firing during the uprising. There are about 1,500 cases, including more than 600 murders. If the investigation is not completed, it will be difficult to find the police's responsibility and the person who ordered it. However, those who are in the country will be arrested; and Interpol's help will be sought to catch those who are abroad."
Asked about Bangladesh Police Reform Commission, Baharul Alam said that the most discussed issue was police reform after August 5. This discussion has come up in various parts of the state structure. It is said that when reforms are not done, such situations arise. The same discussion has come up in the case of excessive use of force by the police.
The government has formed a Police Reform Commission for the purpose of reform. But when this discussion went to the Consensus Commission, there was a lot of discussion about other reform commissions, but the discussion of police reform is no longer visible, he said.
The IGP said, "We were very hopeful since the Police Reform Commission was formed. We hoped that they would give some recommendations of public importance for the police. We also gave some suggestions on behalf of the police, such as forming an independent police commission, giving some autonomy to the police without keeping them under direct executive control, etc."
IGP Baharul Alam alleged that the police are being harassed by various unfair demands such as transfers, promotions and clearances. He has urged them not to make such unfair demands. At the same time, the IGP has sought the opportunity to operate the police force in accordance with the rules and regulations.
The three-day Police Week-2025 is starting from Tuesday (April 29). Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate it.
IGP Baharul Alam said, "This year we want to celebrate an effective police week, not a show of force."
In this context, he said, the plan will be implemented after listening to suggestions from the field level officers. In addition, representatives of civil society have been invited to this year's police week. They will also give their opinions.
