United News of Bangladesh

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday (11th November 2025) said law enforcement agencies are on high alert ahead of the Awami League’s planned Dhaka ‘lockdown’ programme on November 13, assuring that the situation will remain normal. The adviser made the remarks after a meeting of the advisory council committee on law and order at the Secretariat. Read more: DMP bans gatherings near CJ’s residence, SC areas from Tuesday “There had been detailed discussions here and we need your cooperation in one matter. If anyone is found suspicious, immediately inform the law enforcement agencies,” he said. He said law enforcers are in a strong position and there is no cause for concern, as they will remain vigilant. “No leniency will be shown to terrorists. You often say terrorists get bail very quickly. To ensure they do not get bail easily, we will also request the authorities not to release terrorists on easy terms,” the adviser said. Read more: Govt vows to protect interfaith unity, communal harmony

The Bangladesh Police force is facing an unprecedented crisis in the wake of the political upheaval and subsequent regime change that occurred earlier this year.  The student-led  mass upsurge in July and August culminated in the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year administration on August 5, leaving the nation’s law enforcement in disarray. For the first time since independence, the country witnessed widespread attacks on police stations. Firearms and ammunition were looted, with many police officers either fleeing their posts or taking refuge in barracks and other safe locations.  Operations at most police stations across the country were suspended following the downfall of the Hasina government, exacerbating concerns over public safety and law enforcement. 17 senior police officials transferred Some police stations were set alight, forcing officers to abandon their posts.  Then Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Mainul Islam said  on August 11 that 42 police personnel were killed and 507 injured during clashes in July and August. According to Police Headquarters (PHQ), 5,829 firearms, including Chinese rifles, SMGs, pistols, and shotguns, as well as 606,742 bullets, were looted from police establishments on 5 August.  Besides, over 31,000 teargas shells, 1,455 teargas grenades, 4,692 sound grenades, and various other munitions were reported stolen. Recovery Efforts and Missing Arsenal A joint operation to recover the looted weapons began on 4 September.  , 1,419 firearms and 263,153 rounds of ammunition remain unaccounted for, raising serious concerns about their potential misuse. Police detain 5 members of human-trafficking syndicate, 66 rescued Police sources revealed that many looted weapons are believed to be in the hands of criminal elements, further endangering public safety. Civil society groups have urged immediate action to address the alarming implications of this crisis. Operational Challenges and Absconding Officers The political shift has left the police force grappling with conflicting directives and an erosion of operational clarity.  Many officers, unsettled by the changes, have struggled to perform their duties effectively. Some have fled to undisclosed locations or even abroad, fearing trials for alleged misconduct during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. PHQ data reveals that one deputy inspector general (DIG), seven additional DIGs, two superintendents of police, and numerous lower-ranking officers and constables have been absconding since August. Among the most notable names are Monirul Islam, Additional IGP and chief of the Special Branch (SB); Harun Or Rashid, former additional commissioner of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police; and Proloy Kumar Joarder, Additional DIG of PHQ. ‘No magic to crime control; police working’, says IGP In response, the authorities have suspended the salaries and allowances of absconding personnel and initiated legal proceedings against them. Impact on Public Safety The absence of effective law enforcement has led to a noticeable increase in crime and a diminished police presence on the streets. Civil society organisations have called for an urgent overhaul of the police force, stressing the need for improved training, transparency, and a cohesive strategy to restore order. Local communities have expressed growing frustration, with many questioning the government’s ability to stabilise the situation. Experts have recommended a thorough review of the police’s operational guidelines, suggesting that they be updated to reflect the new political landscape. Police must regain public trust through services: DMP commissioner  Government Response The Home Ministry is expected to outline a comprehensive plan to address the challenges faced by the police force.  This includes measures to rebuild public trust, strengthen law enforcement, and adapt the force’s operations to meet current demands. As the nation watches closely, the resilience of the police force remains in question. Whether it can recover from this unprecedented turmoil and continue its critical role in ensuring public safety will be a key test for the new administration.

Detectives and RAB members arrested 11 people including five sacked members of law enforcement agencies in connection with the robbery in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur Beribadh area. Police arrested three suspected robbers from different parts of the capital on Sunday, said Talebur Rahman, DC (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). The identities of the arrestees have not been disclosed yet. Police also recovered Tk 2.20 lakh in cash, two sets of mobile phone and gold ornaments from their possession, he said. Man arrested over Tk 17 lakh swindled in fake insurance scam Earlier, in the day, members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested eight people including five members of law enforcement agencies, dismissed from their posts at different times, in connection with the robbery. RAB teams conducted drives in different parts of the capital on Sunday and arrested them, said Lieutenant Colonel Munim Ferdous, director of Rab Law and Media department. They also seized Tk 7 lakh, one microbus used for robbery and a gold jewelry from their possession, he said. However, they are now interrogating over the robbery and after that the arrestees will be handed over to police. Earlier in the day, a case was filed in connection with the robbery at a house posing as members of the Bangladesh Army and Rapid Action Battalion(RAB)  in Mohammadpur Beribadh area early Saturday. A group of 15 to 20 people wearing uniforms of the army and the RAB entered  ‘Haji Vila’ owned by Abu Bakkar Siddik around 3:30am, the house owner said. “Holding my two hands, they asked me to surrender my arms. I told them that I deposited those to the police station, I don’t have arms. They searched the entire house and looted Tk 85.50 lakh in cash, 70 tolas of gold and some mobile phone sets,” he said.

Saying drugs are coming from neighbouring countries, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today (September 13, 2022) explained that government and law enforcement alone cannot eradicate drugs and sought help from all sections of society. The minister was talking to reporters after inaugurating the Rajshahi Police Liberation War Memorial Museum in Rajshahi Police Lines. The home minister also said that presence of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along Myanmar border has been strengthened. Read: Warned Myanmar against firing shots towards Bangladesh, says Home Minister “Myanmar government is at war with the Arakan Army, and that’s why a few mortar shells landed on the Bangladeshi side recently. Foreign Ministry has protested the incident. We have strengthened BGB forces patrolling along the Myanmar border, and it is expected that firing in the border area will end soon,” he said. Earlier, on September 10, Asaduzzaman said that the government has asked Myanmar to refrain from firing shots towards the Bangladesh border. Replying to a question over the attack on journalists at Rajshahi Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) office, the minister said, “Those who were involved in the incident will be brought to book. No one will be spared in this connection.” Read: Bangladesh wants discussion to avert border tension with Myanmar: Foreign Secretary Noting the contribution of police during the Liberation War in Rajshahi region, the minister said the museum was built to conserve their memories. Bangladesh will never forget their contributions, he added. Later, Asaduzzaman also unveiled a book titled ‘Muktijuddhe Rajshahi Police’ and joined in an anti-narcotic and anti-terrorism discussion.

Underlining the need for democratic practice to contain social ills, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said the nation will not get rid of the degradation in society without empowering people, even if their party returns to power.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Wednesday said the there is no let-up in rape incidents in the country even after making the death sentence as the punishment for the heinous crime lacks in enforcement.