Constable held for leaking CMP chief's directive on opening fire if weapons drawn at police
The commissioner's directive followed an incident on 11 August, when Awami League activists attacked a police team at Ishan Mistrirhat Khalpar area
A constable has been arrested for allegedly leaking a recording of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz's walkie-talkie directive instructing force members to carry firearms and use them against armed attackers if necessary.
The arrested constable, identified as Omi Das of the police telecom unit, was on deputation at Khulshi Police Station. He was arrested last night (17 August) by Khulshi police, confirmed CMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (PR and media) Mahmuda Begum.
She told The Business Standard, "The constable has been taken into custody, and interrogation is going on. Further details will be disclosed later."
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On 12 August, CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz instructed all force members via walkie-talkie to carry firearms and use them against armed attackers if necessary.
The directive followed an incident on 11 August, when Awami League activists attacked a police team at Ishan Mistrirhat Khalpar area under Bandar Police Station, leaving Sub-Inspector Abu Sayeed Rana critically injured.
What the directive said
"If anyone draws a weapon, whether a gun or a sharp blade, they will be shot. That's certain. The right to self-defence under Penal Code sections 96 to 106 allows officers to fire before an attack lands, at the head, chest, or back if necessary. Government-issued ammunition must be used to its full potential," he said.
The commissioner further instructed that no police patrol should hesitate to use firearms.
"In the situation my SI faced, no one should expect to return without leaving at least one body behind," he added.
"In the post-5 August period, there were several changes in police operations. Due to human rights concerns, some officers began believing they could not use weapons even if they were attacked and faced deadly harm," he said.
Referring to the attack, he added, "They could have decapitated my officer. God saved him. I reminded them that the existing law provides the right to self-defence. My force will do whatever is necessary to protect themselves and public property as per sections 96 to 106. No one will sit idle and be attacked."
