Following the 13th parliamentary election and the BNP government’s assumption of office, signs of major reshuffles have emerged at the top of the police administration.
Sources reported that changes may come in six key positions, including the inspector general of police (IGP). However, current IGP Baharul Alam has expressed interest in stepping down.
Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed hinted at changes in several important police posts on Sunday, sparking intense discussion about possible reshuffles.
The positions under consideration include the IGP, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner, Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), head of Special Branch (SB), Additional IGP (Administration), and head of Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The first four of these posts are currently held by officers on contractual appointments, which may be terminated if necessary. The last two positions were filled based on political party recommendations. Altogether, a major reshuffle is expected soon.
Names in discussion for IGP
Among those being discussed as potential new IGP are Additional IGP (Highway Police) Delwar Hossain Miah, Armed Police Battalion (APBn) Additional IGP Ali Hossain Fakir, Chattogram Metropolitan Police commissioner (supernumerary additional IGP) Hasib Aziz, and Additional IGP (Logistics and Asset Acquisition) Mosleh Uddin Ahmed.
Barrister Zillur Rahman, known as a “July fighter,” is also under consideration. Meanwhile, former additional IGP (administration) Matiur Rahman Sheikh, who went into retirement a few months ago, had applied for a one-year extension, but the interim government did not approve it. However, the tenures of SB chief and RAB DG were extended at the same time.
Possible changes in DMP chief post
Hasib Aziz, the current CMP commissioner, is being widely discussed as a possible new DMP commissioner. Mosleh Uddin Ahmed and RAB’s DIG Faruk Ahmed are also in consideration. This could lead to a new face in the CMP commissioner post as well.
Candidates for RAB DG and SB chief
For the RAB DG post, Barrister Zillur Rahman and DIG Ahsan Habib Palash of Chattogram range are under government consideration. For the SB chief, Additional IGP (Development) Sardar Nurul Amin’s name has come up.
According to several officials at the Home Ministry, if final decisions on the IGP, RAB DG, and DMP commissioner posts are delayed, some of the officers currently under discussion may instead be appointed as SB chief, CID head, or additional IGP (administration).
