Shariful Islam

On November 3, 1971, while the nation was fighting for independence, another battle took place at the Guptakhali canal in Chattogram. A nearby fire station was informed that a fire had broken out on an oil tanker carrying 1,000 tonnes of kerosene and 30 tonnes of gasoline.

A ruckus broke out at the International Crimes Tribunal yesterday as some of the 19 high-profile accused, including former ministers and senior bureaucrats, were brought into the courtroom in handcuffs.

There are several parts of Dhaka city where, if you travel through the roads and alleyways by a rickshaw or an auto-rickshaw, you will experience a jerky ride, as many streets remain unrepaired for months after being dug up by utility service providers.

In Dhaka, it was the law enforcers who turned on the people they were supposed to protect. It was the law enforcers who preyed upon protesters during the July uprising. But in Chattogram, it was different. The killers were not in uniform. They came clad in helmets and masks, guns ablaze. And now investigators say they have the names of the suspects.

Deposed premier Sheikh Hasina will be charged with murder, abduction, enforced disappearance, and arson at the International Crimes Tribunal.

Highway Police officials cited insufficient manpower, inadequate logistics support, and the absence of a modern, technology-driven policing system as key factors behind the unit's struggles.

Ignoring calls for holding police accountable through a separate commission, the home ministry refuses to let go of its control over the law enforcers.

The world saw how Abu Sayed was shot by policemen from across the street.

The night of July 27, 2024, still haunts her. A first-year law student of a private university, she still cannot forget how detectives surrounded her in a small room and groped her. On a table in front of her lay a blank paper for her to confess, according to her accounts to the International Crimes Tribunal and The Daily Star.

Amid concerns over the impartiality of investigations into various allegations against law enforcers, the Police Reform Commission has recommended the inclusion of a representative of the complainant in the probe team.

To address growing risks from urbanisation and industrial expansion, the Department of Fire Service and Civil Defence submitted a project proposal to the home ministry in 2023 to establish 73 specialised firefighting and rescue units.

When we talk about corruption in the police force, the focus, rightly so, often falls on bribery and abuse of power.

The Police Reform Commission has proposed floating police stations to combat crimes on waterways, increasing the number of female police for a women-friendly service, and modernising the force with technology-driven strategies and advanced forensic technology to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of case investigations.

After over two months of uncertainty, a significant chapter unfolds for 480 cadet sub-inspectors of 40th batch as they are finally stepping into their roles as probationary SIs in the police service.

Fourteen long years have passed, yet the haunting image of Felani Khatun’s lifeless body hanging from the barbed fence at the India-Bangladesh border lingers in the nation’s collective memory.

Independent body to end politicisation, nepotism, corruption

A special committee of the Police Headquarters recommends replacing 50 percent of the long barrel firearms with short-barrel ones in order to lower casualties during crowd control operations.

The Police Reform Commission is poised to submit its report with recommendations, including freeing law enforcement agencies from political influence, according to its Chairman Safar Raj Hossain.

What began as a promising opportunity towards a better life turned into a harrowing ordeal for Junaeid Hossain Parbez Ariyan, 25, of Narsingdi’s Belabo.

Despite risking their lives constantly in the line of duty, firefighters are deprived of the pay enjoyed by employees of other departments, an analysis of their organograms shows.