Police compelled to commit offences in last 15 years: IGP

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Saturday said politicians exerted their evil influence on the force during the tenure of the Awami League government.

“Members of the police were compelled to commit offences in the last 15 years. We regret and feel deeply ashamed for the misdeeds,” he said.

The IGP was speaking at a view-exchange meeting with officials at the Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) headquarters conference room.

He said, “A commission is working to reform the police force and it will make recommendations to the government for the purpose.”

Baharul Alam said false cases are being filed nationwide over the killings that happened during the mass uprising.

“Innocent people are being harassed here. However, investigating officers have been instructed not to arrest any innocent individual,” he said.

Mentioning that around 6,000 firearms were looted from various police establishments across the country on 5 August, the IGP said 1,500 firearms have yet to be recovered and they are working to recover those.

He also sought the sincere cooperation of all the citizens of the society to recover the lost weapons.