The Police Headquarters has issued strict instructions to law enforcement agencies across the country to maintain law and order following the national election, amid reports of 76 incidents of violence within 48 hours after voting.
Officials said district police have been warned that failure to control the situation could lead to accountability and even departmental action. “Even though the election is over, responsibility is not over,” a senior official said.
According to Police Headquarters sources, all districts have been under special monitoring since two days before the polls. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) had earlier cautioned superintendents of police to remain vigilant.
Khulna Range DIG Rezaul Haque told Bangladesh Pratidin, “Our instructions from the police headquarters were only related to vote security. The IGP had a clear instruction not to worry about anything else. This worked as a big tonic for us.”
The police headquarters said that from 12 am on February 13 to 6 pm the next day, a total of 66 violent incidents were reported across the country. 83 people were injured in these incidents. However, in the last 24 hours, at least 10 clashes have occurred in Faridpur, Natore, Brahmanbaria, Tangail, Tongi, Kushtia, Feni, Jessore, Madaripur and Bagerhat.
Among them, a supporter of the BNP's 'rebel' candidate named Osman Sardar (29) was killed in post-election violence in Kachua upazila of Bagerhat.
At least 10 people from both sides were injured in clashes between supporters of the BNP and the party's 'rebel' candidate last Friday evening. Osman died while undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital around 11:30 am Saturday.
He was the son of Shahjahan Sardar of Parnwapara village in Sadar upazila and a supporter of BNP's 'rebel' candidate and former district BNP president M.A.H. Selim.
A party-wise analysis has shown that 30 incidents related to BNP-Jamaat have occurred, in which 30 people have been injured. Six people have been injured in 6 incidents surrounding BNP's internal conflict. 20 people have been injured in 12 incidents involving BNP and independent candidates. 10 people have been injured in 4 incidents surrounding Awami League and its affiliates. 17 people have been injured in 11 other incidents. In addition, there is information about 2 more isolated incidents.
The IGP said in a virtual meeting that strict vigilance should be maintained to ensure that no unrest occurs anywhere after the results are announced. He also said that there should be vigilance against spreading rumors or provocative propaganda on social media.
Narsingdi District Police Superintendent Abdullah Al Faruk said, ‘It was possible to complete this national election without any major incident. For this, the operations branch of the police headquarters has thanked all the police members of the district. However, we are still on alert. Special patrol activities taken for the security of the vote are still going on. It is still being monitored from the police headquarters.”
The police headquarters said that the district police superintendents have been instructed to strengthen patrols in important areas. To keep extra vigilance in risky centers and areas. To intervene quickly if tension arises between the losing and winning parties. To ensure the safety of minorities and vulnerable populations. If information is received about any kind of sabotage or violence, legal action must be taken immediately. Additional police deployment has also been said if necessary.
Several police officials said that in the post-election period, minor disputes can turn into major clashes. Therefore, instructions have been given to increase intelligence surveillance. Each police station has been asked to closely monitor the political and social situation in their respective areas. There are instructions to keep the control room active for quick response at the field level. Emphasis has also been placed on working in coordination with the district administration and other law enforcement agencies.
Recently, the IGP said in a virtual briefing, “Protecting people's lives and property is our main responsibility. Under no circumstances can we be given the opportunity to take the law into our own hands.”
Bd-pratidin English/TR
