Bangladesh: Police get ultimatum to join duty; else will be deemed unwilling
In the wake of the regime change on August 5, a significant number of police personnel in Bangladesh have yet to resume their duties, leading to a sharp decline in law and order across the country. This absence has exacerbated challenges faced by members of the Awami League, religious minorities, and other vulnerable groups, who have experienced increased threats and violence since last week.
On Sunday, M Sakhawat Hossain, the Home Affairs Adviser to the interim government, issued a stark warning to the absent officers. He declared that any police personnel who do not return to duty by Thursday will be deemed unwilling to perform their responsibilities. Hossain also addressed the media, threatening to shut down news outlets that engage in what he termed “flattery.” “The media will be closed if you indulge in flattery. I promise you, if the media is flattering, then the media will be shut down,” Hossain asserted. He stressed the importance of media integrity, criticizing it for allegedly failing to report the true extent of the current crisis.
In a related development, thousands of people in Moulvibazar district, Sylhet division, staged a protest on Sunday in response to violent attacks on local minority communities. The attacks, which have included vandalism, looting, and arson targeting homes, temples, and businesses, have stirred significant outrage.
Organized by the Bangladesh Sanatani Samaj, the protest took place in front of the Moulvibazar District Press Club at 10:00 a.m. Demonstrators from various professions and social strata within the minority community joined forces to voice their condemnation of the recent violence and to demand justice.
The situation remains tense as both law enforcement and media face increasing scrutiny amid the deteriorating security environment.
