The looting of firearms from at least 22 police stations in Dhaka—a number that may increase as assessments continue—is deeply concerning. Following Sheikh Hasina's resignation, many police stations across the country were attacked by mobs aggrieved by the actions of police personnel during the student protests that led to her downfall. Beside the damage caused to police stations in the process, the extent of the looted weaponry also remains unclear. We hope the new IGP will soon provide a detailed account of the number of weapons stolen and the measures being taken to recover them.

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The police must get back to work

In Cumilla, we are told that police have recovered 28 firearms and 667 rounds of ammunition. We hope that more missing firearms will be recovered in the near future. It has become evident from the incidence of looting weapons that certain factions are attempting to undermine the nation's stability, and the risk of criminal and political elements exploiting the situation remains a major concern. Given the country's volatile state at present, the possibility of these weapons falling into the wrong hands is extremely troubling. We urge law enforcement agencies to focus their attention on recovering these firearms as quickly as possible—before they can be used to cause further harm to people or property.

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Locate and free all victims of enforced disappearance

The dangers of these firearms remaining untraced are multifaceted. During the quota reform movement, as well as on multiple occasions before, we have often seen individuals connected with power using firearms—sometimes even legally acquired ones—in broad daylight. With an unknown number of weapons missing from the police arsenal, a new law and order crisis could be created by saboteurs.

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Illicit use of firearms before election is deeply alarming

With the vast majority of police stations in the country now operating again, even if partially, law enforcers need to take fresh initiatives to account for all the legal and illegal firearms in circulation. We urge the new IGP to take strong and comprehensive steps in this regard. Additionally, the entire process of licensing possession of weapons should be reviewed, and the supply and procurement of illegal weapons must be completely halted. This may prove to be a tall task given the circumstances, but it is one that our security forces must undertake urgently.

Thirteen years ago, Md Halim (name changed) was promoted to police inspector.

Since then, he has served as officer-in-charge at various police stations in Dhaka.

His name was enlisted for promotion to assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in 2017, but six years later, he is still waiting for the call.

"It seems the authorities do not think we are capable, or else they would have given us the promotion," he told The Daily Star recently.

"All benefits are for seniors. Why shouldn't we get the promotion after working 10 to 12 years in the field? It's embarrassing for me and my family."

According to the Police Headquarters database, around 655 inspectors and 115 Traffic Inspectors were listed for ASP promotion in 2017, and 291 inspectors and 72 TI were listed in 2016. Additionally, at least 515 inspectors were listed in 2012 and 2014.

These officers, who joined between 1991 and 1999, have completed 25 to 33 years of service and will retire soon.

Over the past year, junior officers have met with the home minister, inspector general of police, and other top officials to address the promotion crisis.

In response, PHQ in a recent letter informed the home ministry that no ASP posts are currently available.

While some ASP posts will be vacant by 2028, they are insufficient for the large number of awaiting officers.

PHQ requested the ministry to create 300 supernumerary (officials who hold the same position and perform the same duties after their elevation) ASP posts.

Both inspector and ASP ranks are grade nine, so no additional salary would be required.

The Daily Star has obtained a copy of the letter.

Mazharul Islam, general secretary of the Bangladesh Police Association, said, "We have placed our demands to the government several times. It is our legal demand and we hope the government will address our demands soon."

The PHQ letter also requested the creation of 350 supernumerary Additional SP posts, as officials of the 35th BCS have not been promoted despite serving as ASPs for about seven years.

There are around 114 ASPs in the 35th BCS.

Although ASPs were supposed to be promoted to additional SPs after five years, 113 officials of the 36th BCS and 97 officials of the 37th BCS are still waiting after six and five years, respectively. Promotions for the 35th and 36th BCS batches won't be possible until 2027, and the 37th BCS until after 2030.

Creating these posts would cost an additional Tk 2.71 crore.

Officials of the 35th and 36th BCS have held several meetings with the home minister, IGP, and top police officials to demand promotions.

"We were supposed to be promoted after five years, but we are not getting it even after seven years of service. The officials of 35th and 36th BCS, who joined other cadres like admin, foreign, and even Ansar, got promotions at least a year back," said an official of 35th BCS police.

Abul Fazal Mir, joint secretary (police-1) of the public security division of home ministry, said, "Creating supernumerary posts is a policy-level issue. It requires approval from other ministries like public administration, so nothing can be said right away about the application."

According to PHQ, there are around 3,146 cadre posts in the police. This includes one IGP, two additional IGPs (grade-1), 20 additional IGPs (grade-2), 87 DIGs (grade-3), 201 additional DIGs (grade-4), 596 SPs (grade-5), 1,008 additional SPs (grade-6), and 1,231 ASPs (grade-9).

Last year, PHQ sought 529 supernumerary posts for IG, DIG, additional DIG, and SP promotions.

But public administration ministry created 342 such posts, causing dissatisfaction among cops.

On September 19, the home ministry applied for more posts, leading the public administration ministry to approve eight additional IGP and 15 DIG posts on October 23.

Renowned filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has been a steadfast supporter of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, voicing his stance from the movement's inception. His unwavering support for the students and encouragement for equality-based social reform have resonated with many of his followers.

In the immediate aftermath of the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, the country has been marred by violence. Hindu homes and places of worship across multiple districts have been targeted, reflecting the chaos and lack of law and order. This period of unrest has been particularly brutal for law enforcement, many policemen, including an officer-in-charge, were beaten and torched to death and hundreds were injured at numerous police stations across the country.

As hatred and fear against police is growing amongst the people, in a heartfelt social media post, Farooki pleaded with the public to show empathy and support to the police officers returning to their duties. He wrote, "We hope that our brothers and sisters in the police force will return to their duties within a day or two. We have high hopes that they will become a new police force for a new Bangladesh."

Farooki urged the public to welcome the police with gestures of peace. He suggested, "Why don't we welcome the law enforcers with kindness and offer peace? When we see police officers on the streets, why don't we exchange a smile with them? Let's greet them, offer a flower, or even a chocolate?"

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Save the country from violence, chaos: Yunus

Reflecting on recent interviews with ordinary police officers, Farooki shared their emotional struggles. "Yesterday, I watched interviews with some ordinary police officers. They were tearful as they spoke about feeling helpless against the fascists' power grabs — how a few corrupt officers had used them, and how their families felt unsafe and embarrassed. They expressed one common desire: They no longer wanted to be partisan police. They wanted to serve the state with dignity," he emphasised.

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Shironamhin’s new song to bring in a new Bangladesh

Farooki concluded with a heartfelt appeal for solidarity, "Can we give them some comfort, just so they feel that they are one of us?"

It is disheartening that the police still remain in a state of disarray despite attempts in recent weeks to overhaul the force and imbue it with a new sense of direction. According to a report by this daily, the violent fallout of the regime change on August 5 continues to cast a shadow over the force even now, with logistical challenges as well as low morale due to the fear of withdrawal, transfer, forced retirement, lawsuits and/or arrest still stifling their capacity. This cannot be allowed to persist, as the role of the police is critical in maintaining law and order, ensuring public security, and preventing chaos.

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Can we rebuild the lost trust in law enforcement?

Presently, police services remain largely limited to registering complaints and cases. Despite all police stations resuming their operations several weeks ago, there has been little field presence of officers, especially after dark and without army escorts. Meanwhile, the national helpline 999 continues to struggle to provide services because of the lack of police personnel and logistical support. For a time, all the 999 calls asking for police help were referred to the armed forces. Even though the home adviser has urged the superintendents of police to work sincerely with the force and logistics they have in their respective districts, a number of issues have combined to make progress difficult.

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Stop police culture of implicating rivals

Key among them is the lack of morale. Reportedly, the fear of being sued or arrested or, worse, facing public wrath for police actions during the bloody mass uprising still haunts police members. To this day, over 700-800 officers remain absent without leave. Add to that the fear of being withdrawn or transferred, with major reshuffles being announced every now and then. There is no easy solution for this. It is natural for police, after having served as enforcers of an authoritarian regime for over a decade, to find themselves caught between the need to redeem their credibility and the lingering fear of consequences. Ensuring accountability and creating an enabling environment for police are both important. The authorities must find a way to achieve these objectives with tact, and with people's expectations in mind.

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The necessity for substantive police reform

The issue of diminished operational capability is another major barrier, one that should be handled with relative ease, however. Given the overarching need of public safety, the authorities must urgently expedite their efforts to reinforce and restructure the police force, make necessary resources available, and repair damaged infrastructure. Soon after the mass uprising, over 450 out of 664 police stations were attacked by mobs, with some set on fire. Around 300 vehicles were also destroyed. Large quantities of firearms and ammunition were looted as well, leaving a security concern for the future. Restoring full police capability means addressing all such logistical issues as well as staff shortages created afterwards, through new recruitments if necessary.

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The need for a clear charter for the intelligence agencies

We must say that we expect a better performance from the interim government in terms of fully operationalising the police force. Police must be able to secure the streets, protect citizens, and prevent crimes. The responsibility to ensure that they are able to do so lies on the government. Reforms cannot happen overnight, so striking a balance between reform and general functionality may be considered in the short term, keeping long-term reforms for the future.

Police interrogated the arrested VIPs (Very Important People) to know about those, who provided money, advice, and statements against the students' movement, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Mainul Hasan said today.

He came up with the remark in reply to a reporter's query at the "Commissioner's Meet the Press" at the media centre in the capital's Minto Road .

This was his first briefing since taking the office on August 7.

Mainul provided updates on the investigation against several high-profile arrestees, including former ministers, a state minister, and an advisor from the previous government. These individuals are being interrogated to determine if they provided financial support, advice, or made statements against the students' movement, he said.

Mainul emphasised that the police are focused on uncovering any involvement in undermining the protests.

The commissioner also addressed the issue of unprofessional behaviour of law enforcers, which he attributed to a loss of public trust.

The unprofessional officials still remain in the posts, he said adding, "How the trust can be brought back by keeping these officials in the chair."

"This is an ongoing process. It may take some time. But you [addressing journalist] will see clean policing. Those [unprofessional officials] will not be in posts, who create a crisis on trust," he added.

"The legal system is an ongoing process. It may take comparative time. The issue of departmental action is ongoing," he said.

"We want to create a well-disciplined police force… where all policemen will work professionally," he said.

Asked about the unprofessional officers who might be evading accountability, the commissioner noted that their whereabouts are currently unknown but efforts are being made to address these issues.

He also refuted claims that favouritism based on district affiliations influences police appointments, asserting that professionalism should be the sole criterion for police roles.

Regarding "corruption" within the police force, Mainul pledged to form a professional police service devoid of corruption, irregularities, and injustice. He acknowledged the challenge of rebuilding trust and called for public support in overcoming the current crisis.

During the movement, the leaders and activists of Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Awami League's front organisations opened fire with weapons.

In this regard, Mainul said that along with many licenced weapons, illegal weapons were also used.

Asked how long it would take to overcome the trust and crisis, the commissioner said, "It cannot be said with certainty. We are trying, we want everyone's support in this regard. Police cannot recover from trauma without everyone's support."