The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued a formal clarification following media reports alleging that the convoy of its Commissioner breached traffic regulations after a recent public statement emphasising equal enforcement of road laws.
Earlier, during a press briefing, the DMP Commissioner, Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, reiterated that traffic regulations apply uniformly to all citizens, including government officials and police personnel. He stated that any breach of traffic law by members of law enforcement would be met with strict disciplinary measures.
However, subsequent media reports suggested that the Commissioner’s motorcade had itself violated traffic discipline shortly after the statement was made. In response, the DMP issued a detailed press release on Thursday night, rejecting these allegations as misleading and based on incomplete information.
According to the statement, the portrayal of the incident in various news outlets does not accurately reflect the actual traffic arrangement in place at the time. The DMP clarified that Minto Road is not a one-way street but a dual-carriageway, and that recent experimental traffic management measures have been introduced in the area.
These measures include temporary plastic barricades and a pilot U-turn system designed to improve traffic flow. Authorities emphasised that this arrangement is not a permanent restriction and is periodically opened or closed depending on operational requirements.
The police further stated that the movement of the Commissioner’s convoy was conducted under the direct supervision and guidance of designated traffic officers. As such, they rejected claims that any special privilege was exercised or that traffic regulations were breached.
The statement also criticised the way the incident was framed, arguing that it created the impression that a fully restricted route had been exclusively opened for the Commissioner’s vehicles, which the DMP described as factually incorrect.
Summary of Key Positions
Issue Raised
DMP Explanation
Alleged traffic violation by convoy
Denied; movement was supervised by traffic authorities
The DMP also underscored the importance of responsible journalism, urging media outlets to verify information thoroughly before publication. It stressed that accurate reporting plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding and maintaining trust between law enforcement agencies and citizens.
In conclusion, the police authority maintained that no traffic law was violated and that all movements were conducted within the framework of existing experimental traffic management protocols.
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