On February 7, 2025, a group of men allegedly took over Md Shamim’s rickshaw garage in Kallyanpur, forcing out all 16 rickshaws kept there.
“Most of the rickshaws were later stolen,” the 31-year-old told The Daily Star on August 18.
Shamim said he submitted a written complaint to Mirpur Police Station, but no case had been registered despite a dozen follow‑up visits.
He alleged the group was led by two local men, one claiming to be a Jubo Dal activist and the other a Swechchhasebak Dal leader.
Shamim had bought the garage three years earlier for Tk 1.5 lakh. “We are poor people. Properties in the slum are often occupied like this, but when we go to police, they only make empty promises.”
Serving police personnel interviewed by The Daily Star said many officers are reluctant to take decisive action when an operation risks confrontation with influential people.
Several field-level officers said they now weigh the possible consequences before making arrests or intervening in contentious situations, particularly when they are unsure whether senior officers will stand by them if trouble follows.
Another complaint from Mirpur further highlights how police often avoid registering cases when resolution appears complicated.
Panna Begum of Moddho Paikpara said 15 to 20 goons stormed her house on July 29, assaulted her husband and brother, and forced signatures on two Islami Bank cheques worth Tk 75 lakh in total. She alleged her husband was later coerced into signing documents concerning three flats in their four-storey building.
Panna said she was forced to seek court action after alleging police refused to record a case and pressured her family to settle, citing involvement of notorious criminals.
Mirpur Police Station Sub‑Inspector Mahmud Nabi denied her allegation and said the matter was under inquiry.
Deputy Commissioner Mostaq Sarker of DMP’s Mirpur Division said complainants could approach the zonal assistant commissioner, additional deputy commissioner or the DC if a police station refused to record a case.
“No one has come to us with such a complaint. Generally, a cognisable offence is recorded as a case. I do not know the details of this incident, but I will look into it,” he added.
‘WILL SENIORS PROTECT US?’
An assistant sub‑inspector in the Public Order Management unit said officers often hesitate before arrests or enforcement action when influential people are involved or there is a risk of a mob gathering.
“There is always a question: if we take action today and trouble follows, will our seniors protect us?” he said.
A sub-inspector at Kafrul Police Station said officers were now working more actively than in the immediate aftermath of August 5, 2024, but reluctance remained in difficult operations.
Police teams acting on information about fugitives or narcotics sometimes face intimidation, and seniors occasionally advise withdrawal. “If an officer is doing the right thing, seniors must stand beside that officer,” he said.
An assistant commissioner-ranked officer pointed to another weakness: limited operational experience among some officers now holding key field positions.
Some officers appointed to lead police stations had spent much of their careers in training centres or reserve forces and had limited experience investigating major crimes or running complex operations, he said.
As a result, he alleged, investigations sometimes stop with field-level suspects without reaching those who planned major crimes.
A DMP deputy commissioner, however, said the force was considerably stronger than it had been one and a half to two years ago, with police arresting suspects and solving cases.
He said newly appointed officers-in-charge needed more training, and experienced, competent and courageous officers should be placed in key operational positions.
‘A NEW CHALLENGE’
Additional Inspector General of Police Khandoker Rafiqul Islam said that social media criticism and the targeting of officers over photographs taken with political figures could affect morale.
He said some officers were being labelled “fascists” because photographs taken while carrying out professional responsibilities were later circulated against them.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, however, said on August 17 that the country’s law and order situation had seen “visible improvement” during the government’s first 180 days.
Rights activist Nur Khan Liton said officers involved in unlawful acts must face legal action, but police carrying out lawful duties also needed protection from intimidation and mob pressure.
