Police personnel across Bangladesh are facing immense operational strain following stringent directives from high-ranking officials to penalise station in-charges if banned political groups manage to hold flash processions. In recent days, several Officers-in-Charge (OCs) within the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) jurisdiction have been abruptly transferred or withdrawn after failing to prevent surprise rallies organised by the activity-banned Awami League and its affiliate wings. The policy has triggered widespread anxiety and discomfort within the force, as senior officers attempt to protect their own positions by transferring intense pressure onto field-level officers, many of whom are working round-the-clock without adequate rest.
The administrative crackdown follows heightened concerns of escalating political friction nationwide, marked by frequent crude bomb detonations, bus arson incidents, road blockades, and violent confrontations targeting police officers and their vehicles. Official warnings issued by both the DMP and Cumilla District Police explicitly stated that OCs would face immediate transfer if banned organisations conducted processions within their territorial jurisdictions. Consequently, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station OC Md Monirul Islam was reassigned to the Detective Branch (Wari Division) on Monday, whilst Jatrabari Police Station OC Mohammad Raju was transferred to DB’s Mirpur Division following torch rallies in their areas. Inspector Rubel Hawlader has taken charge of Jatrabari Police Station, with Inspector Muhammad Shahidul Islam assuming control at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Gulshan Police Station OC Mohammad Dawood Hossain was also transferred under similar circumstances.
Defending the administrative actions, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed noted that station commanders are formally required to explain any security lapses leading to illegal gatherings, adding that all OCs had been warned in advance. Similarly, in Cumilla, OCs across 18 police stations have intensified night patrols, informant networks, and intelligence operations. However, field-level officers have expressed deep frustration over the mandate. Speaking anonymously, several OCs pointed out that most urban precincts comprise vast networks of narrow alleyways alongside major thoroughfares. They explained that small groups frequently gather in hidden lanes, conduct momentary processions lasting barely a couple of minutes, record video footage for social media dissemination, and disperse immediately, making absolute prevention virtually impossible.
Criminology experts have voiced strong criticism regarding the punitive reassignment policy. Muhammad Umar Farooq, Chairman of the Department of Criminology and Police Science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, asserted that punishing OCs in this manner lacks legal or procedural standing. He warned that such politically driven decisions risk demoralising the police force, fostering internal chaos, and ultimately creating opportunities for criminal networks. Meanwhile, inspectors highlighted that police officers are already overwhelmed by relentless duties, ranging from handling widespread garment sector labour unrest in Mirpur, Ashulia, Gazipur, and Narayanganj to managing routine criminal cases, emergency 999 responses, and VIP security details. Addressing the situation, Bangladesh Police Association President Inspector Kamrul Hasan Talukdar stated that while transfers are occurring based on situational evaluations, law enforcement officers continue to actively arrest individuals participating in these flash demonstrations.
