Police attacked while arresting suspects: 440 cases in nine months, concern grows over snatched suspects and looted weapons
Attacks while arresting criminals, handcuffed suspects being snatched from police, government weapons being looted during raids, police members being beaten inside stations, and even officers being hacked in public are taking place in different parts of the country. In some places organised criminal gangs, in others people with political identities, and elsewhere angry local crowds are confronting members of the law enforcement agencies.
The situation has reached a point where police must stay alert about their own safety alongside performing their duties. These incidents are not only a question of the force's morale or occupational risk — they have also brought to the fore the state's law enforcement capacity, the effectiveness of the judicial process, and the safety of ordinary people.
According to crime statistics from Police Headquarters, 440 cases were recorded in 'police attacked' incidents across the country in the nine months from January to September this year. In the same period last year, the number was 462. Although the number of cases has fallen slightly, the nature of recent attacks, suspects being snatched in public, and police members being seriously injured have created concern.
According to monthly police statistics, 42 cases were recorded in each of January and February, 63 in March, 66 in April, 55 in May, 49 in June, 42 in July, 41 in August and 40 in September. The highest number, 66, was in April. On that basis, an average of about 49 cases were recorded each month. However, these figures are not the total number of injured police members — they are the count of recorded cases relating to attacks on police.
This shows attacks on police are no longer limited to risky raids or clashes with terrorists. Police members are also being attacked during regular searches, anti-drug operations, execution of arrest warrants, eviction of illegal structures, and while controlling clashes.
On June 9 in the Baktarpur area of Savar in Dhaka, Sub-Inspector S M Shamim and Assistant Sub-Inspector Mashiur Rahman Khan of Savar Model Police Station were attacked while arresting Rafiqul Islam, a warranted suspect in a drug case. Police said when they tried to handcuff the suspect, his associates attacked with bricks and sticks. At one stage a group of about 40 to 50 people took part in the attack and snatched the arrested suspect away. A case was filed naming 17 people among 57 accused. Police later arrested five people.
A similar incident took place in July in Kutubdia, Cox's Bazar. There, a group of about 50 people allegedly attacked police while an arrested suspect was being taken to the station. Four police members were beaten and the handcuffed suspect was snatched away. Police reported six arrests and a case against 65 people in the incident.
On September 2 in Shantiganj, Sunamganj, relatives and associates of Asir Mia, a suspect in multiple cases, attacked police while he was being taken away in handcuffs and snatched him. The suspect was later rearrested.
A more serious incident took place on April 30 in Bandar, Narayanganj. Two police members came under an organised attack while investigating a snatching complaint. One constable reportedly had two fingers severed in the attack. The attackers also snatched a government shotgun from police. The weapon was later recovered in a raid and several suspects were detained.
In Khulshi, Chattogram, on September 4, at least six police members including Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdur Rahim were attacked during a raid to arrest listed terrorist Wakil Hossain alias Boga. The attackers also vandalised a police vehicle. Boga escaped in the opportunity. Later, however, when he surrendered in court, the court ordered him sent to jail.
In the first week of September, the beating to death of Special Branch Sub-Inspector Altaf Hossain in Aminbazar, Savar, sparked discussion across the country. According to police, attackers turned on Altaf Hossain and his son after he protested the beating of an auto-rickshaw garage owner. Altaf was declared dead after being taken to hospital in a seriously injured condition.
In the early hours of October 9 in Khulna, Police Inspector Md Shah Alam was seriously injured in an attack by snatchers. While returning by rickshaw in plain clothes after duty, three snatchers took his wallet and two mobile phones. When he tried to resist, he was hacked indiscriminately with a machete. Both his hands were seriously injured.
Most recently, on October 17 in Uttara in the capital, a clash took place with police centred on garment workers' movement demanding arrears and higher wages. At least 50 people including workers and police were reported injured — 18 of them police members.
Former Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam mentioned a culture of impunity as one of the reasons behind such incidents. In his view, it must be ensured that police are allowed to work within the law. On the other hand, Rezaul Karim Sohag, a teacher in the criminology department of Dhaka University, spoke of the risk of similar crimes recurring if criminals are not properly punished.
Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) at Police Headquarters Sayedur Rahman said there is no scope to view a crime as ordinary mob violence just because it was committed in an organised way. In cases of planned murder or serious injury, police will try to investigate according to the true nature of the crime and bring those involved under the law. He also said that alongside firmness, protection of human rights must also be ensured.
Dr Touhidul Haque, associate professor at Dhaka University's Institute of Social Welfare and Research and a crime analyst, said the repeated attacks on police in different parts of the country are worrying for the law and order situation. This is not only about police members' safety, but is also linked to the state's law enforcement capacity and authority. In his view, speedy investigation and visible justice must be ensured for those involved in such incidents, without regard to political identity.
