New Bangladesh police chief offers apology, vows probe into protest killings
Asia
By
AFP
| Aug 08, 2024
Bangladesh's newly appointed police chief on Wednesday offered an apology for the conduct of officers during deadly protests and vowed an "impartial" probe into the killings.
"We are committed to conducting a fair and impartial investigation into every recent killing of students, common people and the police", Inspector General of Police Md. Mainul Islam told reporters.
"In the current protests... our previous responsible officials were not able to fulfil their duties as per the expectations of the countrymen," he added, a day after he was appointed following the ouster of the prime minister.
READ MORE
TSC Amendment Bill, 2024: What MPs want
Faith Odhiambo: Two years of bold leadership at LSK
Junior Starlets players dominate Kenya U20 team
Why Coast traders want Senate to throw out Tobacco Bill
Orphan who benefited from Ebenezer scholarship excels in KCSE
Kenya's 'night runner': How a rural ritual with links to witchcraft became an urban staple
State faces new IMF test as loan talks resume
Why Omtatah wants court to block Sh2.8tr railway works
Making agriculture 'cool' again: How to win the youth back into big farming
Alarming clause in Religious Organisations Bill threatens our democracy
"I, as the chief of police, apologise on behalf of the Bangladesh Police for that."
He also said he had asked police units to end their strike and return to duty on Thursday when Nobel-winning microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus is set to return to the country to lead a caretaker government.
More than 400 people were killed during weeks of clashes between protesters and security forces before ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina quit on Monday.
Among 44 dead bodies brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Monday -- the deadliest day since unrest began in early July -- many of them were young men and almost all had bullet wounds.
Since Hasina fled, police reported mobs launching revenge attacks on her allies, as well as on police stations and officers.
Police unions said their members had gone on strike Tuesday "until the security" of officers was assured.