DMP chief says he won’t approve baton charges to disperse protesters

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali says he will not approve the use of force or baton charges to disperse the protesters who have regularly announced blockades on Dhaka’s roads to push for a number of different issues over the past few months.

Instead, he has instructed police personnel to “humbly request” protesters not to obstruct roads.

He made the remarks at a press briefing on Friday regarding the security measures for the Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

He said police will guard the book fair premises at night as well.

 “Our officers will remain in the control room at night. They will monitor the entire thing,” he said.

In consideration of the traffic situation this year, the road stretching from TSC to Doel Chattar will not be closed completely, the DMP commissioner said. The road will, instead, be off limits to traffic when needed and remain open the rest of the time.

Dhaka residents have seen heavy traffic congestion in recent months as protesters pushing for different demands have taken to the streets. Asked why the DMP is not intervening, Sazzat said:

"It’s really unfortunate. I have made several requests for people not to obstruct the roads. However, these incidents are still occurring nearly every day. We’re not the British police. As the police of Bangladesh, we cannot use batons on our own people. I asked all my colleagues not to use batons charges at all.”

Police did not resort to batons even during the clashes between Dhaka University students and students of the seven affiliated colleges, he said.

They used tear gas shells and sound grenades to avoid any bloodshed, the DMP chief said.

When reporters asked why police had used batons on Ebtedayee teachers in defiance of the commissioner’s order, he said:

“No baton charges occurred there.”