By Md. Imran Ahmed
I want to state unequivocally that the frustration directed at some police officers is due to their personal greed, partisan activities, and political actions conducted in uniform. This has led to significant public anger.
Unfortunately, innocent and ordinary police officers are bearing the brunt of this intense frustration.
Seizing the opportunity presented by these turbulent times, senior police officials have fled, leaving behind helpless and innocent officers to face the danger alone.
Regrettably, these officers are now falling victim to public outrage and even murder. It is imperative that those responsible for the current state of the Bangladesh Police be held accountable.
Appeal to the Public
We earnestly appeal to the general public: please do not punish the entire police force for the wrongdoings of a few individuals.
Those who have committed crimes should be punished, but targeting and killing innocent officers is another form of injustice. Regardless of which government is in power in Bangladesh, maintaining law and order remains a significant challenge.
Whether you like the police or not, you need us.
Today, there are no traffic police on the streets. Important office premises, courts, banks, and insurance offices, and even many police stations, are devoid of police presence.
If this situation continues, the law and order situation will further deteriorate, and various groups might exploit this opportunity.
Reports of looting are already emerging from various places. Without police presence, people are looting wherever and whatever they can.
The Role of the Police
We have seen abroad that in any emergency, people call the police first. It should be the same in Bangladesh.
Through 999, we respond to hundreds of thousands of calls every day. While there may be questions about the quality of police services, destroying police infrastructure and killing innocent officers will severely disrupt these critical services.
In particular, with the absence of police, some criminals have already begun attacking various locations, attempting to loot weapons and ammunition, and seizing people’s property.
If these weapons and ammunition fall into the hands of criminals, they could commit even more horrific crimes.
Please, do not take the law into your own hands. Do not disrupt a vital national service like the police. Many innocent people will suffer if the police are inactive, and criminals will exploit the situation for their own gain. For the sake of Bangladesh’s existence, please refrain from attacking the police.
This would undoubtedly damage the country’s international image and present a significant challenge to the government.
As a member of the Bangladesh Police, I earnestly request everyone: taking the law into one’s own hands is a threat to any state.
Call for Lawfulness
Refrain from actions that destabilize the country’s overall law and order situation. Punish those within the police who commit crimes according to existing laws. At the end of the day, we are your brothers and relatives.
Please, do not take the law into your own hands. Do not disrupt a vital national service like the police. Many innocent people will suffer. Criminals will exploit the police’s inactivity for their own gain. For the sake of Bangladesh’s existence, please refrain from attacking the police.
Md. Imran Ahmed (PPM), Additional Superintendent of Police, Bangladesh Police
