Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Sajjat Ali issued a strong warning on Thursday, cautioning that continued efforts to undermine police morale could force citizens to return to self-guarding their homes, reminiscent of the situation witnessed after August 5 last year (following the recent political transition).
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the DB Cyber Support Centre on Minto Road, the Commissioner emphasized the effort put into rebuilding the police force’s morale and urged the public not to break it.
The Commissioner explicitly cautioned, "If it collapses, you will have to guard your houses with bamboo sticks, just like after August 5 last year.”
He stressed that police officers are on the streets to serve the public, not to clash with them, and noted that inappropriate behaviour faced by officers while preventing unrest "deeply hurts" them.
The DMP chief cited a recent attack, mentioning that an officer was injured on Wednesday night when miscreants hurled a cocktail near Pallabi Police Station, stating that such attacks "damage police morale and ultimately harm everyone."
Md Sajjat Ali warned that attempts to create instability following the recent change in government could push society into further disorder, demanding that those involved cease their actions immediately.
When questioned about the potential for officers to shoot at those who throw cocktails, the Commissioner clarified that police action is dictated by law, not by his personal directive. He stated, "I did not make the law. Parliament makes the law. Whatever is stated in the law is what my officers follow."
The DMP chief Md Sajjat Ali, concluded by urging Dhaka residents to cooperate with the police to maintain public safety and peace.
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