Police share post with IGP’s picture on social media out of 'love'

Inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed

Members of Bangladesh police have been sharing a post with a picture of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on social media.

The police members called the IGP the architect of building a drug and militancy free Bangladesh in the post that reads, “Our icon, our pride.” They say the IGP is one of the greatest sons of the soil and added more praise.

The US Department of State and the US Department of Treasury on 10 December imposed human rights-related sanctions on Benazir Ahmed, current inspector general of the Bangladesh police and former director general of Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and six other individuals on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.

Police members started sharing posts for the IGP on social media since Monday morning. Speaking to Prothom Alo, assistant superintendent of police (media) of police headquarter Md Kamruzzaman said, “This post is shared out of love. The honourable prime minister has chosen the IGP sir to speed along the development highway. The largest investment has come from the United States over the past several years. Had the law and order situation not been good, this investment would not have come.”

He further said the US gives the utmost importance to the prevention of militancy. And the drive being conducted against drugs and militancy, led by the IGP, is being praised everywhere.

A post that police members are sharing reads, “One of our greatest son of soil, The commander behind sustainable security.”

Another post being shared shows the IGP in RAB uniform during a raid. It reads, “The man behind the progress of drug, militancy and extremism free beloved Bangladesh.” News clips published at various times are also added to this.

Other than sharing posts on social media, a write-up has been published on a news portal being operated from the police headquarter with a headline, “Plot over IGP means conspiracy against the state.”

US sanctions instigated by lobbyists: BPSA 

Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) said in a statement on Monday that an anti-Bangladesh quarter wants to obstruct the development of Bangladesh and embarrass the country internationally. Their goal is to disrupt the friendly relations between the two countries. By providing false, misleading and fabricated information with the help of international lobbyist groups, they have concealed the real situation of Bangladesh from the United States. This quarter has influenced the US government to make such a decision.

BPSA claimed Bangladesh police is working relentlessly under the leadership of Benazir Ahmed to ensure the security of the people, prevent terrorism, protect human rights and establish rule of law in the country.

They have called upon the US government to reconsider their decision, which will add impetus to the ongoing transnational anti-terrorism drive of Bangladesh police.

“The US is one of the development partners of Bangladesh. There are always friendly relations between the two countries. An excellent export-oriented environment prevails in the country due to the vigilance of Bangladesh police”, the release read.

The release claimed Bangladesh police and the concerned agencies of the United States are working together to prevent different kinds of crimes including global terrorism, transnational criminal activities and cybercrime.

In addition to exchanging experiences, the United States government has been providing various sorts of assistance, including training, to enhance the skills and capacity of the Bangladesh Police.

BPSA said amid such ‘friendly’ bilateral relations, the US Department of State and the US Department of Treasury imposed sanctions on seven officials including the IGP Benazir Ahmed without proper scrutiny. It is unwarranted and unexpected. Every member of Bangladesh Police is hurt and embarrassed due to such ‘sudden’ and unilateral decision of the United States government.