DMP chief authorises officers to open fire on arsonists, bomb attackers ahead of ICT verdict
Commissioner Sazzat himself later stated that he had issued a directive over wireless radio authorising officers to shoot anyone found setting a bus on fire or using crude bombs to threaten lives, adding that this action is “allowed under our law.”
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali has ordered his officers to shoot anyone attempting to torch vehicles or hurl crude bombs, as security forces brace for possible unrest ahead of today's verdict in cases against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina at the International Crimes Tribunal.
The order was relayed over wireless radio this afternoon (16 November). Three DMP officials, including a deputy commissioner, confirmed the directive to The Business Standard, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Commissioner Sazzat himself later stated that he had issued a directive over wireless radio authorising officers to shoot anyone found setting a bus on fire or using crude bombs to threaten lives, adding that this action is "allowed under our law."
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The order follows a similar directive issued five days earlier by the Chittagong Metropolitan Police chief, which drew mixed reactions.
According to law enforcement officials, maintaining order has become the central challenge amid a spike in arson attacks and explosions in Dhaka and several districts since Saturday.
At least 16 crude bomb blasts were reported at various points across the capital, including in front of the Asian Development Bank office in Agargaon.
Outside Dhaka, an arson attack was carried out at the Grameen Telecom resort in Gazipur yesterday. Parked buses and other vehicles were torched in Mohammadpur Beribadh and in at least three districts beyond the capital.
