10pc of DMP officers still absent

Following the resignation of the Awami League government and the fleeing of Sheikh Hasina, many have fled the country, while others remain in hiding within the country. This includes some officers of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Although DMP operations have resumed, a significant number of officers are still unaccounted for.

The interim government's home affairs adviser had set a deadline of Thursday for all absent officials to return to duty, but many high-ranking officers have yet to comply. As of Thursday, a concerning 10 per cent of senior DMP officers have yet to report for duty.

Home Affairs Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain had said that failure to report back to duty by Thursday would be considered as ‘resignation’ from their positions. While most officers have reported back, some senior officers' offices were found locked on Thursday.

DMP sources indicate that at least 10 per cent of senior officers, including Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Harun-or-Rashid and Joint Commissioner Biplob Kumar Sarker, have not returned to work. This includes senior police members from additional deputy commissioner to additional IGP levels. However, nearly all sub-inspectors and inspectors have returned to their duties. Most of the absentees are reported to be ill.