The removal and subsequent transfer of Khulshi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Abdur Rahim following a raid to arrest listed criminal Wakil Hossain, alias Boga, have sparked resentment among police personnel in Chattogram, raising concerns over political interference in law enforcement.
Several officers told TIMES on condition of anonymity that they faced political pressure when taking action against listed criminals and their patrons, raising fears that such interference could discourage police from conducting operations against influential suspects.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), however, rejected suggestions that political affiliations influenced transfers, maintaining that such decisions were based on administrative needs and officers’ performance. The orders concerning Rahim cited “public interest” as the reason for his reassignment and transfer.
Arif Ullah, a teacher in the Department of Criminology and Police Science at the University of Chittagong, warned that politically motivated transfers could undermine police independence and send a negative message to other officers.
“If officers are forced to consider the consequences for their careers before taking action against influential individuals, maintaining impartiality in law enforcement may become difficult. Failure to take appropriate action over obstruction or threats during operations could encourage political patronage and a culture of impunity,” he told TIMES.
The controversy began on the night of 6 October, when police raided Chattogram City Corporation in an attempt to arrest Boga but failed to apprehend him.
The following morning, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain publicly expressed his displeasure with Rahim at an event, accusing him of having links to the Awami League and harassing BNP leaders and activists.
Just two hours later, Rahim was removed as OC of Khulshi Police Station and posted to the City Special Branch. Police Headquarters subsequently ordered his transfer to the Police Training Centre in Khulna.
The episode has drawn attention to frequent changes in police station leadership across Chattogram.
Over the past two years, CMP’s 16 police stations have undergone at least 20 rounds of reshuffles involving OCs. At Khulshi Police Station alone, five officers have held the position within six months.
The repeated changes have raised questions about crime prevention, continuity of investigations and the force’s ability to act against influential criminals.
“This could be a sign of administrative instability. It risks weakening the continuity of investigations, officers’ knowledge of local crime and relationships with the public,” Arif Ullah said.
Boga faces allegations ranging from assaulting a teacher and extortion to offences involving firearms and explosives. According to police, 23 cases have been filed against him.
On 4 September, six police personnel were injured when his associates attacked officers attempting to arrest him.
Mayor Shahadat, however, described Boga as a long-time participant in political movements and struggles and, a fighter in the July-August movement.
CMP Assistant Commissioner (Public Relations) Amirul Islam said efforts to arrest Boga were continuing.
“The operation to arrest Boga is still ongoing, and he remains under intelligence surveillance,” he told TIMES.
Asked about the repeated transfers of OCs, he said, “The OC position cannot simply be left vacant.”
Some police officers said frequent transfers made it difficult to put their knowledge of crime-prone areas to effective use.
They warned that such changes could disrupt ongoing investigations, weaken intelligence gathering on criminals’ movements and undermine relationships between police and local communities.
Officers also alleged that the preferences and recommendations of elected representatives and influential political leaders sometimes influenced transfer decisions.
CMP Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Muhammad Foysal Ahmed dismissed allegations of political pressure.
“OCs are transferred based on administrative needs, performance, discipline and special circumstances,” he said, describing the changes as part of normal police administration.
Concerns over political interference are not confined to the metropolitan force. Officers in Chattogram District Police have also raised similar allegations.
District police are conducting operations in Raozan, Sitakunda, Fatikchhari and Hathazari following crimes including killings and shootings.
Officials said operations against criminal networks had intensified following the arrest of Mobarak Hossain Emon, alias David Emon, known as an associate of fugitive top criminal Boro Sajjad, who is abroad.
Several district police officers alleged that attempts to take action against criminals and their patrons frequently met with obstruction.
One officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that some criminals previously associated with the Awami League had retained control of criminal networks under the protection of ruling party leaders.
“Some criminals previously known as beneficiaries of the Awami League are now maintaining control over the criminal underworld under the protection of certain ruling party leaders. District Superintendent of Police Masud Alam has also been threatened with being forced to leave Chattogram because of initiatives to take action against them,” the officer said.
Chattogram Superintendent of Police Masud Alam, however, denied allegations of political obstruction.
“We are not doing anything wrong or improper. No one will dare obstruct us when we are doing good work,” he said.
Arif Ullah stressed that police independence must be accompanied by institutional accountability.
“Alongside the operational independence of the police, effective accountability must also be ensured,” he said.
