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Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam believes it will be a “very difficult task” to mobilise his force on the ground after firing on and killing people in July-August uprising.
He said, “We opened fire and killed people just a few days back. Now it is a Herculean task to make a 360-degree turnover from that place and become people-friendly.”
The IGP said many police officers cannot avoid responsibility and some officers have been charged in cases for various reasons.
No action is being taken against the police officers only if they are accused in the complaint like others, he said.
While speaking at a media briefing at Police Headquarters on Thursday, Baharul said: “Police no longer want to be used politically. This is my number one demand like all others.”
Referring to his recent visit to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, popularly known as Pongu Hospital, he said: “I went to NITOR that day. One of the injured asked me ‘why did you shoot me? I am a poor driver.’ I didn’t have an answer. I said I have no answer, I came here just to apologise.”
Many police officers have been accused of using excessive force during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.
Among them, the names of half a dozen police officers, including former SB head Monirul Islam, DMP commissioners Habibur Rahman, Biplob Kumar Sarkar, Proloy Kumar Joarder, and Harunor Rashid are being frequently heard.
Several cases have been initiated against them. Where are they located now?
Asked whether they would be declared missing by the authorities, the IGP said: “We have received information from the media about the names that were mentioned. An investigation is under way at our end.”
“They will be arrested if they are in the country and if we can identify their location. And if they are outside the country, there is also a legal process for that.”