Shariful Islam

Police reforms: Home plans glass walls, bodycams, legal overhaul

The home ministry plans to carry out a series of police reforms over the next six months to enhance transparency and accountability within the force and curb corruption and human rights violations by law enforcers.

2w ago

Justice eludes families of July uprising victims

Shilpi Begum’s life changed forever when her only son, Mehedi Hasan, was shot dead during a protest last July.

3w ago

July atrocities: Hasina charged with crimes against humanity

Almost 10 months after the fall of her regime, Sheikh Hasina and her two top aides were charged with five counts of crimes against humanity yesterday.

1m ago

The unsung protectors

On November 3, 1971, while the nation was fighting for independence, another battle took place at the Guptakhali canal in Chattogram. A nearby fire station was informed that a fire had broken out on an oil tanker carrying 1,000 tonnes of kerosene and 30 tonnes of gasoline.

2m ago

Chaos over cuffs at ICT

A ruckus broke out at the International Crimes Tribunal yesterday as some of the 19 high-profile accused, including former ministers and senior bureaucrats, were brought into the courtroom in handcuffs.

2m ago

Dug up, unfixed roads: a nightmare for residents

There are several parts of Dhaka city where, if you travel through the roads and alleyways by a rickshaw or an auto-rickshaw, you will experience a jerky ride, as many streets remain unrepaired for months after being dug up by utility service providers.

3m ago

July uprising in CTG: Helmeted and masked, AL men gunned down scores

In Dhaka, it was the law enforcers who turned on the people they were supposed to protect. It was the law enforcers who preyed upon protesters during the July uprising. But in Chattogram, it was different. The killers were not in uniform. They came clad in helmets and masks, guns ablaze. And now investigators say they have the names of the suspects.

3m ago

ICT cases against Hasina: ‘Strong evidence found to prove the charges’

Deposed premier Sheikh Hasina will be charged with murder, abduction, enforced disappearance, and arson at the International Crimes Tribunal.

3m ago
February 16, 2025
February 16, 2025

Abu Sayed’s autopsy report altered 6 times

The world saw how Abu Sayed was shot by policemen from across the street.

February 12, 2025
February 12, 2025

Disturbing accounts of ‘police abuse’

The night of July 27, 2024, still haunts her. A first-year law student of a private university, she still cannot forget how detectives surrounded her in a small room and groped her. On a table in front of her lay a blank paper for her to confess, according to her accounts to the International Crimes Tribunal and The Daily Star.

February 12, 2025
February 12, 2025

Allegations against cops: Probe team should include accuser’s representative

Amid concerns over the impartiality of investigations into various allegations against law enforcers, the Police Reform Commission has recommended the inclusion of a representative of the complainant in the probe team.

January 30, 2025
January 30, 2025

Fire service and civil defence: Proposal for 73 units stuck in red tape

To address growing risks from urbanisation and industrial expansion, the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence submitted a project proposal to the home ministry in 2023 to establish 73 specialised firefighting and rescue units.

January 26, 2025
January 26, 2025

Underfunding a key factor behind police bribery

When we talk about corruption in the police force, the focus, rightly so, often falls on bribery and abuse of power.

January 19, 2025
January 19, 2025

Add more female cops to the force

The Police Reform Commission has proposed floating police stations to combat crimes on waterways, increasing the number of female police for a women-friendly service, and modernising the force with technology-driven strategies and advanced forensic technology to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of case investigations.

January 15, 2025
January 15, 2025

40th batch: 480 SIs join service; dismissed cadets on hunger strike

After over two months of uncertainty, a significant chapter unfolds for 480 cadet sub-inspectors of 40th batch as they are finally stepping into their roles as probationary SIs in the police service.

January 5, 2025
January 5, 2025

Cops want police commission free of external influence

Independent body to end politicisation, nepotism, corruption

January 4, 2025
January 4, 2025

Crowd control operations: Police seek to restrict use of lethal arms

A special committee of the Police Headquarters recommends replacing 50 percent of the long barrel firearms with short-barrel ones in order to lower casualties during crowd control operations.

December 24, 2024
December 24, 2024

Non-lethal weapons to be suggested for cops

The Police Reform Commission is poised to submit its report with recommendations, including freeing law enforcement agencies from political influence, according to its Chairman Safar Raj Hossain.