Army chief, IGP describe killing of ex-major as ‘isolated incident’

Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army General Aziz Ahmed and Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed have described the recent killing of former major Sinha Md Rashed Khan in police firing as ‘an isolated incident’.

The army chief and the IGP also reassured the citizens that the two forces have confidence in each other.

They came up with the statement during a press conference at an army bungalow in the Cox’s Bazar district on Wednesday, reports bdnews24.com.

According to a BSS report, former major Sinha was killed in police firing at Baharchhara police check-post on Marine Drive road in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar district on July 31. The government has formed a high-level committee to investigate the incident. The committee started investigation from Tuesday.

“The incident has shocked both the army and the police,” General Aziz was quoted in the bdnews24.com report.

 “The message we have here is that we want to see this as an isolated incident. From our positions, we want to ensure all that the people involved in the incident and identified by the joint inquiry will face punishment.”

“The responsibilities for the incident will not fall on any agency or organisation. No organisation will act against the other,” he added.

 “We, the army, the police and other agencies have worked shoulder to shoulder to tackle the domestic and foreign threats in the 50 years of development of Bangladesh. The mutual trust, confidence and cooperation that have developed between us shall remain intact.

 “Neither the army, nor the police will do anything that can lead our relationship to rupture,” General Aziz said.

The army chief also urged all to be alert. “Please don’t try to create a misunderstanding between the army and the police,” he said.

IGP Benazir also said the two forces have worked together in many crises in the past five decades.

“Our relations are based on mutual respect, trust and confidence. We too see this (killing of Sinha) as an isolated incident,” he said.

“Many are making provocative remarks exploiting the incident. I believe such instigation won’t work in skilled, smart forces like the army and the police,” he added. 

The two later visited Shamlapur check-point along Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive at Baharchhara, the site where Sinha was shot dead.