CMP constable to face interrogation for three days

A Chattogram court has ordered a policeman who was arrested for "leaking" a wireless message from the city’s police commissioner to face grilling for three days.

Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate SM Alauddin Mahmud issued the order on Tuesday afternoon, reports bdnews24.com.

Earlier, 31-year-old Khulshi Police Station Wireless Operator Aumi Das was arrested on Sunday night.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) officials say that he was arrested for "leaking" a walkie-talkie message from the CMP commissioner, which instructed police members not to go on duty without firearms and ammunition.

The suspect has been named in a case under section 3(b) of the Official Secrets Act of 1923 and sections 23(2)/27 of the Cyber Security Ordinance of 2025 for allegedly video-recording the commissioner's message “without permission” and spreading it on social media.

Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury, assistant public prosecutor of the Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court, told bdnews24.com: “The investigating officer in the case applied for a seven-day remand for Aumi Das. After the hearing, the court granted a three-day remand."

The accused was present at the hearing.

On the night of Aug 11, police went on a raid at Ishan Mistri Ghat of the city's Bandar Thana after receiving information of a flash procession by Awami League activists.

Miscreants hacked and injured a sub-inspector named Abu Sayeed Rana during the operation.

Following that incident, on the night of Aug 12, CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz issued a wireless message on carrying firearms and ammunition.

He also directed police personnel that if any weapon is brandished before them, they should shoot immediately.

In the message, Hasib was heard saying: "According to the rules before Aug 5, 2024, no party will leave the police station without live ammunition. Rubber bullets are not working.”

Referring to the injury of the policeman from the Bandar Police Station, he said: "Under the circumstances, no patrol team should return without two or four dead bodies.

“If a weapon is brandished before a police team, they should shoot -- no doubt about it."

Referring to sections 96 to 106 of the Penal Code, he said: "As soon as a weapon is brandished, you should open fire. It will be to the head, chest, or back. The optimal use of government ammunition must be ensured."

On May 12, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced the government had decided not to provide any more lethal weapons to the police force, which has been facing an image crisis due to the indiscriminate use of gunfire to suppress protests in July and August of last year.

"Police should not have any more lethal weapons -- they must hand them over. No more lethal weapons and arms will be in the hands of the police, but they will be with the Armed Police Battalion (APBn)."

A video of the CMP commissioner's wireless message was circulated on social media, leading to widespread discussion and criticism.