Today Date: 17th September 2026
Police officers worldwide face significant risks of physical assault and violence both on-duty and off-duty, reflecting the hazardous nature of their profession. On-duty, violence, deaths, and injuries often occur during crowd control, protests, or while apprehending suspects. In Bangladesh, officers frequently face violence during political rallies, strikes, and labour disputes, particularly during hartals, where they have been attacked with stones, brickbats, Molotov cocktails, and sharp weapons. Globally, similar threats exist; in the United States, ambush-style or sniper attacks on off-duty officers are common, while in Europe, counter-terrorism personnel have been targeted in their private lives. These assaults jeopardize the safety of law enforcement personnel and challenge their ability to serve communities effectively, highlighting the urgent need for better protections, public awareness, and mechanisms to address violence against police.
During the past successive regimes in Bangladesh, the police became heavily politicized, often coerced into actions that compromised their professional integrity. They were compelled to suppress protests, act against citizens, and serve the ruling party’s interests, frequently under significant pressure. This created the ground for the potential rift between the police and the community they are entrusted to serve.
In the tumultuous period of July-August 2024, the police were thrust into a series of asymmetric, pitched battles that led to unprecedented casualties. These confrontations resulted in numerous deaths and serious injuries, affecting students and people from all segments of society. Tragically, the police themselves suffered significant losses, with 44 officers killed and many others wounded. This period of unrest created a profound rift between the police and the public, marked by widespread distrust and animosity. Since then, sporadic incidents of violence and physical assaults against police personnel have highlighted the lingering tension.
A recent incident involving the attack on Inspector Nizam, former Officer-in-Charge (OC), Panchlaish Police Station, CMP, while relocating his family to a new posting, has drawn significant attention. The attack, recorded and widely circulated on social media, underscores public resentment toward the police, who are often accused of both inactivity and excessive force during the previous regime. Activists accused Nizam of lodging fabricated false cases against them and harassing opposition members during his tenure under the Awami League government, culminating in a confrontation that led to his physical assault and subsequent handover to the police. BNP activists framed their actions as a necessary corrective to a perceived history of unchecked abuse of power, arguing that holding Nizam accountable was vital to preventing similar abuses and safeguarding fundamental rights. They view the confrontation as a symbolic act of justice, addressing the alleged misuse of law enforcement as a political tool under the ruling Awami League. Protests demanding Nizam’s arrest, amplified by media coverage and viral social media content, have spotlighted allegations of police bias and systemic persecution. This turbulent episode highlights deeply entrenched social, and institutional tensions in Bangladesh, raising critical questions about accountability, justice, and the urgent need for reform in politicized policing.
Critics of the BNP activists’ actions highlight the dangers of resorting to vigilantism. Detaining and physically assaulting a public official, especially the officer who was in charge of a police station undermines the rule of law, replacing institutional processes with extrajudicial actions. Such conduct sets a concerning precedent, potentially encouraging others to bypass legal channels and take justice into their own hands. The incident also exacerbates the already polarized climate, deepening divisions and fostering animosity between various factions. This heightened tension risks destabilizing security governance and inciting further violence within communities already fractured along party lines. Additionally, the activists’ actions could result in significant legal repercussions, portraying their behaviour as reckless rather than principled. This outcome might weaken their moral position and give the present interim government opportunities to discredit them as lawless and chaotic.
The detrimental impact on police morale and effectiveness becomes evident as fear of retaliation and public backlash fosters hesitancy in decision-making, undermining officers’ ability to maintain public order. Public humiliation of a former OC exacerbates disillusionment within the force, reducing operational efficiency and weakening their capacity to ensure public safety. This erosion of trust creates a dangerous vacuum that could embolden criminal activities, underscoring the need to strengthen community relations through transparent and fair practices. Security experts warn that acts of vigilantism, such as assaulting off-duty police officers, send a profoundly damaging message to an already embattled and traumatized force in the aftermath of Sheikh Hasina’s fall. Such incidents significantly undermine morale across the police institution, with repercussions resonating far beyond localities like Panchlaish Thana. The psychological toll ripples through the entire force, eroding collective confidence and trust in the public they serve. This pervasive vulnerability hampers effective functioning and further strains the fragile relationship between law enforcement and the community. To rebuild trust and foster stability, it is crucial for citizens to uphold the rule of law and engage in constructive dialogue.
The incident underscores significant challenges to law and order in Bangladesh, as diminished police security reduces proactivity, and weakens public confidence. Political interference and polarization further destabilize law enforcement, fostering tensions and diverting resources from routine duties to managing political conflicts. Retaliatory attacks against police risk paralyzing the force, creating a dangerous public safety vacuum that threatens societal well-being. Reports of the recent surge in street crimes, such as snatching incidents in Dhaka, highlight the need to restore public trust and ensure a consistent, visible police presence. A strong, impartial police force is crucial for immediate safety and long-term stability.
Physical assaults on police officers have wide-ranging consequences, including psychological trauma, and reduced morale, which undermine operational efficiency and erode public trust in law enforcement. These incidents also affect officers’ families, causing stress, and strain community relations, deterring recruits and highlighting the need for policy reforms to ensure officer safety.
Unlike other state institutions, the police are perpetually on the front lines, visibly bearing the consequences of their actions. This enduring dynamic creates a cycle of political exploitation and public distrust in the successive regimes, positioning the police as both enforcers and scapegoats for government policies. The assault on OC Nizam in Chattogram highlights the urgent need for structural reforms within the police force to break this cycle of political manipulation and restore public confidence. For political activists who targeted Nizam, the police were perceived as a tool for exerting party influence and serving the government and its affiliates while being used to instill fear in opponents. Without meaningful reform, the police will continue to be caught in this vicious cycle, undermining their ability to function as a neutral and trustworthy institution.
At the same time, this is an opportunity for the police to rise above past challenges, reflect deeply on the lessons learned, and commit to meaningful change. By addressing previous shortcomings, reorganizing their structure, and upholding principles of fairness and professionalism, the police can rebuild their image as a trusted institution. Their actions should inspire respect and confidence among the people, fostering a renewed partnership between law enforcement and the community for a more harmonious future.
The challenges faced by law enforcement in Bangladesh highlight a complex interplay between historical, political, and societal factors. The strained relationship between the police and the public, exacerbated by politicization, public mistrust, and incidents of violence, underscores the urgent need for reform. While the police remain an essential pillar of public safety and order, their effectiveness is undermined by partisan behavior, inadequate accountability, and deteriorating morale.
To break this cycle, it is critical to depoliticize law enforcement and implement transparent mechanisms that foster accountability, professionalism, and community trust. Collaborative efforts among all stakeholders—citizens, political actors, and the interim government—are vital for rebuilding the integrity of the police force. By embracing these reforms, the police can regain public confidence, restore their professional standing, and contribute to a more stable and just society.
As Bangladesh navigates this pivotal period, the opportunity to transform law enforcement into a truly impartial institution must not be missed. The collective commitment to upholding the rule of law, engaging in constructive dialogue, and prioritizing fairness will pave the way for a harmonious future where the police and the public work together to uphold safety, security, and justice for all.
The incident involving the detention and physical assault of former OC Md. Nizam Uddin is emblematic of the complex and deeply rooted challenges within Bangladesh’s political and legal environment. While the actions of the BNP activists highlight grievances regarding alleged abuses of power, the resort to vigilantism undermines the rule of law and exacerbates tensions. The broader implications of the incident—on police morale, public trust, and political stability—are deeply concerning. A robust framework emphasizing accountability, professionalism, and community engagement is essential to addressing these challenges. Strengthening institutional safeguards and depoliticizing law enforcement will be critical in ensuring that the police can effectively perform their duties without fear of retribution, thereby maintaining law and order in a polarized society.
Dr. Md. Motiar Rahman, DIG (Retd)
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