Evidence found of police inaction and negligence of duty: Home Minister

Photo: Collected

News Desk: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that preliminary evidence of police inaction and negligence of duty has been found in connection with the attack, looting and vandalism at Radda Clinic in the Shah Ali police station area of Mirpur.

He said the officer-in-charge (OC) of Shah Ali Police Station was immediately withdrawn following the incident, which took place around midnight on September 25, and a departmental case is being initiated against him.

The Home Minister made the remarks at a press briefing on the law-and-order situation and contemporary issues held at the conference room of the Home Ministry at Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday.

Regarding the attack, looting and vandalism at Radda Clinic, the minister said the DMP commissioner had been instructed to inspect the incident on the ground. After visiting the scene, police have already arrested nine suspects and recovered several items and pieces of evidence. Strict legal action will be taken against all those involved in the incident, he added.

According to a press release from the ministry, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed also said that any attempt to deteriorate the law-and-order situation would be dealt with firmly.

He said strict action was being taken against criminals regardless of their political affiliation. “A criminal has no political identity. A criminal is a criminal,” he said.

Regarding the regular and administrative transfers of police officials, the minister said transfer would not be the final measure if an official was found negligent in duty or involved in criminal activities. If any official is involved in treason or any other criminal offence, legal action is being taken against them through regular cases alongside strict departmental measures, he added.

Referring to the investigation, forensic examination and arrest of the former officer-in-charge of Cantonment Police Station in a case filed over allegations of treason, the minister said criminal activities would not be tolerated within the police force.

The minister reiterated that the government is consistently following a zero-tolerance policy to maintain law and order, ensure public safety and establish good governance.