Bangladesh Police will be seen in action once again. The police have ended the strike after six days and have agreed to return to work with a change in uniform. At present, police are returning to work across the country from today.
Bangladeshi police will resume patrolling in the capital Dhaka from Monday (August 12). The police here were on strike after the change of government due to student protests. The police who went on strike were disappointed and were raising many demands including change of uniform. Now after the agreement with the interim government, the police has announced to call off the strike.
In fact, on Sunday, a meeting was held between police representatives and Advisor on Home Affairs Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, top police and Rapid Action Balatian officials. Home Secretary Jahangir Alam was also present in this meeting. He confirmed that an ‘agreement’ has been reached with the striking policemen.
Why did the police want to change their uniform?
Under the agreement, non-cadre police officers will return to work from today. The Home Advisor assured them that their demands, including changing the police uniform, would be considered. After the meeting, Sakhawat said, the police uniform and logo will be changed as soon as possible. His heart is heavy with sorrow. They (police) do not want to go out in this uniform.
Let us tell you that after the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, the law and order situation across the country had collapsed. Several police stations were attacked and set on fire, causing officers to cease operations out of fear for their safety. The number of deaths so far in the incidents of violence across the country has reached 560. More than 230 people died in the last one week.
After going on strike, the police had put forward a list of 11-point demands including formation of an independent commission and assurance of security. The Home Advisor assured them that most of their demands would be met and wrongdoers would be punished. The return of the police to their duties will also provide relief to the interim government and will help in restoring normalcy. The interim government is working to resolve the crisis.
When did the police go on strike?
Violence broke out against Sheikh Hasina’s government over the controversial jobs quota system and clashes broke out across the country between police and students during widespread protests. After that, Bangladesh Police Subordinate Employees Association (BPSEA) had announced a strike on 6 August. Due to the clashes, Hasina’s Awami League-led government fell and she was forced to come to India to protect herself. After the fall of the government, many policemen did not return to work out of fear and those who returned went to their police stations in plain clothes.
According to the Dhaka Tribune newspaper report, the strike representatives held a meeting with interim Home Affairs Advisor Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain. He assured the police that most of the demands in his 11-point list would be met.
The report quoted a member of an inquiry committee formed by the Inspector General of Police as saying, “After the meeting with the Home Affairs Advisor, we got assurance and we will wear our new uniforms and return to work from Monday.”
Those who do wrong will not be spared
Interim Home Affairs Advisor Sakhawat said that those who ordered the use of excessive force were at the political level and any wrongdoer will not be spared. An investigation will be conducted in this matter.
The protesting police officers had demanded action against those responsible for the attacks on police establishments. He also demanded one-time financial compensation for the families of the slain officers and transparency in police recruitment.
On Sunday, newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) MD Mainul Islam said that at least 42 members of the police force were killed and many injured in the recent clashes. More than 500 police personnel were injured and treated in hospital and more than two dozen police personnel are still undergoing treatment.