Hasib Aziz, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner, has ordered the law enforcers to shoot in self-defense if anyone pulls out a firearm or sharp weapon in front of the police.
He gave this instruction to the CMP police personnel in a wireless message on August 13. In addition, Hasib Aziz ordered them to go out on duty with weapons and fresh bullets as per their authority before August 5 last year.
Mahmuda Begum, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of the CMP’s Media and Public Relations Department, confirmed the matter to Bangla Tribune on Thursday.
On August 11, Bandar police station Sub-Inspector Abu Sayeed Rana was attacked while chasing an Awami League procession in the Ishan Mistry Hat area. He was hacked and seriously injured, police said.
Human rights activists have condemned Hasib Azizโs order, saying it may lead to abuse of power and excessive use of force amid a rise in extrajudicial killings, including mob violence and custodial deaths.
Since the August 5 changeover, the police have come under severe criticism for targeted attacks on the Awami League members, filing of false and fictitious cases, and torture and extortion of the accused.
The force is also criticised for inaction during violence and its silence over the barbaric murders of hundreds of police members by the anti-government protesters in July-August last year.
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In a wireless message to CMP police members, CMP chief Hasib Aziz said: โAccording to the authority of the weapons and ammunition of those weapons that were in force before August 5, 2024, the police mobile party, patrol party and DB teams of the police station will carry police weapons of all ranks. No mobile, patrol, DB and checkpost teams will go out on duty without firearms.
โWork is not being done with rubber bullets alone. My SI in Bandar was seriously injured. If another inch had been shifted, a major accident would have occurred. If someone falls into the situation that the SI of Bandar police station has suffered, under no circumstances will anyone return without a projectile body.โ
He said: โFrankly, as soon as someone draws a weapon in front of a police patrol party, they will be shot. It can be a firearm or a sharp weapon. They will be shot as soon as they draw a weapon. There is no doubt about it. According to sections 96 to 106 of the Penal Code, all police officers have the right to self-defense. Before an attack occurs, they will shoot at the moment they draw their weapons. Either in the head, chest, or back. The best use of government ammunition must be ensured.โ
CMP media wingโs ADC Mahmuda Begum said: โWhen the police go on a raid and the miscreants draw their weapons, the Commissioner Sir has ordered the police to shoot in self-defense as per the authority.โ
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