Last Updated on 12/08/2024 by wccexam Desk
Bangladesh Police will be seen in action once again. The police have ended the strike after six days and have agreed to return to work with a change in uniform. Currently, police are returning to work across the country from today.
Bangladeshi police will resume patrolling in the capital Dhaka from Monday (August 12). The police here were on strike since the change of government due to student protests. The policemen who went on strike were frustrated and were raising many demands including change of uniform. Now after reaching an agreement with the interim government, the police have announced to withdraw the strike.
In fact, on Sunday, a meeting was held between police representatives and Home Affairs Advisor Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, top police and Rapid Action Battalion officials. Home Secretary Jahangir Alam was also present in this meeting. He confirmed that an ‘agreement’ has been reached with the striking policemen.
Why did the police want to change their uniform?
Under the agreement, non-cadre police officers will return to work from today. The home advisor assured them that their demands, including changing the police uniform, will be considered. After the meeting, Sakhawat said, the police uniform and logo will be changed as soon as possible. Their hearts are heavy with grief. They (police) do not want to go out in this uniform.
Let us tell you that after the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, the law and order situation collapsed across the country. Many police stations were attacked and set on fire, due to which the officers stopped working fearing for their safety. The death toll in the incidents of violence that erupted across the country has so far reached 560. More than 230 people were killed in the last one week.
After going on strike, the police had put forward a list of 11 point demands including formation of an independent commission and assurance of security. The Home Advisor assured them that most of their demands will be met and the wrongdoers will be punished. The return of the police to their duty will also provide relief to the interim government and will help in restoring normalcy. The interim government is working to resolve the crisis.
When did the police go on strike?
Violence broke out against Sheikh Hasina’s government over a controversial quota system in jobs and clashes broke out between police and students across the country during widespread protests. After that, the Bangladesh Police Subordinate Employees Association (BPSEA) announced a strike on 6 August. The clashes led to the fall of Hasina’s Awami League-led government and she was forced to flee to India to seek safety. After the fall of the government, many policemen did not return to work out of fear and those who returned went to their police stations in plain clothes.
According to a report in the Dhaka Tribune newspaper, the strike representatives held a meeting with interim Home Affairs Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain. He assured the police that most of their 11-point list of demands would be met.
“After a meeting with the Home Affairs Advisor, we got assurances and we will wear our new uniforms and return to work from Monday,” the report quoted a member of an inquiry committee formed by the Inspector General of Police as saying.
Those who do wrong will not be spared
Interim Home Affairs Advisor Sakhawat said that those who ordered the use of excessive force were at the political level and no wrongdoer will be spared. An investigation will be conducted in this matter.
The protesting police officers demanded action against those responsible for the attacks on police establishments. They also demanded one-time financial compensation for the families of the slain officers and transparency in police recruitment.
On Sunday, newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Mainul Islam said at least 42 members of the police force were killed and many injured in the recent clashes. More than 500 police personnel were injured and were treated in hospital and more than two dozen police personnel are still undergoing treatment.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)