Bangladesh

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.

For them, this marks the beginning of a long-awaited journey in law enforcement as they received their rank badges yesterday.

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam is scheduled to attend their passing-out parade at the Sardah Police Academy in Rajshahi today.

On the other hand, 321 others of the same batch were dismissed last year during training at the academy over allegations of misbehaviour, skipping meals and lacking focus during training.

These dismissed cadets are now fighting for a chance to reclaim their positions, clinging to hope amidst despair. They are holding a fast-unto-death demonstration in front of the Secretariat.

Their collective demand echoes a single plea: justice and reinstatement.

"Neither me nor any of my family members were ever involved in any politics. I studied at a private university. My father is a poor farmer and my uncles bear all the expenses for my education," said Prabir Roy, one of the dismissed cadet SI.

He said a four-member delegation of the dismissed SIs met the senior secretary of the home ministry's Public Security Division on Monday.

"Although he had previously assured us of verifying and considering our demands by January 12, we didn't receive a positive response from him during yesterday's [Monday's] meeting. As a result, we've begun a fast-unto-death programme," Prabir told The Daily Star.

They spent that entire night in front of the Secretariat and vowed to continue their protest until their jobs are reinstated.

Earlier, on January 5 and 6, the dismissed SIs held a sit-in at the same location. They temporarily called off their demonstrations on January 6 after being assured by the secretary that their demands would be considered.

On October 21 last year, 252 trainee sub-inspectors (SIs) were dismissed just a month before graduating from the police academy for "breach of discipline" during a break in a practice session for the closing parade of the 40th BCS (Police) Probationers Batch.

An additional 58 cadets from the same batch were dismissed on November 4, followed by 11 more later.

Sources said the Police Headquarters, in consultation with the home ministry, conducted a background check on the political affiliations of 801 trainees in the batch after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.

A number of dismissed SIs claimed the allegations against them were baseless and their dismissal was an act of severe injustice. They expressed frustrations over the situation, saying that they and their families are struggling financially.

Meanwhile, no decision has yet been taken regarding the passing out of the 62 trainee ASPs of the 40th BCS and three of the 38th BCS (police) batches from the academy, halting the training of the officers of 41st and 43rd BCS (police) batch officers.

Police officials believe the long delay will create a vacuum of officers in the field level, with the law enforcement agency already in disarray since the fall of the AL government.

On October 20, 66 officers were scheduled to pass out from the academy. Twenty-five of them were accused of "walking in a disorderly manner" during their training session and served show-cause notices on December 15.

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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.

For them, this marks the beginning of a long-awaited journey in law enforcement as they received their rank badges yesterday.

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam is scheduled to attend their passing-out parade at the Sardah Police Academy in Rajshahi today.

On the other hand, 321 others of the same batch were dismissed last year during training at the academy over allegations of misbehaviour, skipping meals and lacking focus during training.

These dismissed cadets are now fighting for a chance to reclaim their positions, clinging to hope amidst despair. They are holding a fast-unto-death demonstration in front of the Secretariat.

Their collective demand echoes a single plea: justice and reinstatement.

"Neither me nor any of my family members were ever involved in any politics. I studied at a private university. My father is a poor farmer and my uncles bear all the expenses for my education," said Prabir Roy, one of the dismissed cadet SI.

He said a four-member delegation of the dismissed SIs met the senior secretary of the home ministry's Public Security Division on Monday.

"Although he had previously assured us of verifying and considering our demands by January 12, we didn't receive a positive response from him during yesterday's [Monday's] meeting. As a result, we've begun a fast-unto-death programme," Prabir told The Daily Star.

They spent that entire night in front of the Secretariat and vowed to continue their protest until their jobs are reinstated.

Earlier, on January 5 and 6, the dismissed SIs held a sit-in at the same location. They temporarily called off their demonstrations on January 6 after being assured by the secretary that their demands would be considered.

On October 21 last year, 252 trainee sub-inspectors (SIs) were dismissed just a month before graduating from the police academy for "breach of discipline" during a break in a practice session for the closing parade of the 40th BCS (Police) Probationers Batch.

An additional 58 cadets from the same batch were dismissed on November 4, followed by 11 more later.

Sources said the Police Headquarters, in consultation with the home ministry, conducted a background check on the political affiliations of 801 trainees in the batch after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.

A number of dismissed SIs claimed the allegations against them were baseless and their dismissal was an act of severe injustice. They expressed frustrations over the situation, saying that they and their families are struggling financially.

Meanwhile, no decision has yet been taken regarding the passing out of the 62 trainee ASPs of the 40th BCS and three of the 38th BCS (police) batches from the academy, halting the training of the officers of 41st and 43rd BCS (police) batch officers.

Police officials believe the long delay will create a vacuum of officers in the field level, with the law enforcement agency already in disarray since the fall of the AL government.

On October 20, 66 officers were scheduled to pass out from the academy. Twenty-five of them were accused of "walking in a disorderly manner" during their training session and served show-cause notices on December 15.

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অযথা সময়ক্ষেপণ করে সরকারে থাকার বিন্দুমাত্র ইচ্ছা আমাদের নেই: আসিফ নজরুল

‘রাজনৈতিক দলগুলোর সঙ্গে ফেব্রুয়ারির মাঝামাঝির মধ্যে থেকে আলোচনা শুরু করতে আগ্রহী।’

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