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Bangladesh’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has said the force has yet to fully regain its effectiveness following last year’s “traumatic” political upheaval and deadly violence targeting police.
On Saturday, Baharul said efforts are underway to arrest “identified” criminals and those with pending cases, alongside broader preventive measures, bdnews24.com reports.
“Our main challenge is making the force 100 per cent effective after such a traumatic experience [last year],” he said at the Dhaka Range Reserve Force in Gendaria.
“I’m still not satisfied, no matter what anyone says. We’re still in that process.”
The fallout stems from the Aug 5, 2024, mass uprising that toppled the Awami League government. In its wake, protesters attacked and torched police stations across the country amid deadly crackdowns. According to police, 44 officers died during the unrest.
The transition to an interim government took time to stabilise law-enforcing operations, a recovery effort that is still a work in progress.
“You could say we haven’t been 100 per cent successful -- maybe not even 50 per cent. We need to find a way, given the scale of what we’re facing.”
Asked whether political parties could assist, he said, “We seek support from all parties.”
He called the expulsion of individuals involved in violence a “positive step”, adding, “We are moving towards a fair, neutral and historic election, and we will seek cooperation at every level.”
Baharul emphasised that forming a democratic, elected government is not possible without political consensus.