Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has demanded that the police force be freed from political and executive interference.
“My time serving as IGP since last November has not been pleasant at all. I had to start amid tremendous adversity, and I still sometimes hear, ‘Is he our person?’ I have to hear such things repeatedly,” said Baharul Alam, describing his year-long experience as police chief.
He made these comments at a roundtable titled “Bangladesh Police Reform: Challenges and Action Points” on Saturday at the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar.
Baharul Alam said, “In case of case investigation, in case of arrest — I should not receive any directives in these areas.”
He also demanded that the police be given operational independence according to legal provisions, and that the government’s control over the police be reduced.
Former Inspector General of Police Muhammad Nurul Huda has blamed the use of the police force for partisan interests for the failure to build professionalism within the Bangladesh Police.
He said that in a divided society, maintaining law and order becomes difficult when labels like “Awami police” and “BNP police” exist.
Giving examples of political influence in police recruitment, transfers, and promotions following government changes, Muhammad Nurul Huda said, “If someone’s home is in Faridpur or surrounding areas, there will be no appointment. At another time, if someone’s home is in Bogura, Jhenaidah, or Dinajpur, they cannot get recruited, or in some cases, will not get promoted.”
He said that if this mentality cannot be overcome, police reform or restoring professionalism within the force will remain difficult.
