Summary:
- Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announces ban on secret detention centers (‘Aynaghar’) and informal food service (‘Vaat-er hotel’) at DB office premises.
- DB officers must now wear proper uniforms with identification during arrests, abandoning the practice of plain-clothes operations.
- The Adviser acknowledges increased mugging incidents in the city while highlighting ongoing successful anti-mugging operations.
- Media praised for accurate reporting while addressing corruption concerns, with the Adviser welcoming public scrutiny of his actions.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced sweeping reforms at the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, including the elimination of secret detention centers and changes to arrest procedures.
During a press briefing following his inspection of the DB office today, Chowdhury declared that the DB would no longer maintain any “Aynaghar” (mirror room) or “Vaat-er hotel” (roadside restaurant) within its premises. The latter term gained notoriety after former DB Additional Commissioner Harun-Or-Rashid popularized the practice of serving food to detainees and sharing their photos on social media.
In a significant policy shift, DB officers are now prohibited from conducting arrests in plain clothes. “They must wear jackets and carry identification cards during any operation,” Chowdhury emphasized, adding that officers must strictly follow legal procedures even if orders to do otherwise come from higher authorities, including himself.
The reforms come amid growing concerns about law enforcement practices and a surge in urban crime. Recent statistics show that Dhaka has witnessed over 100 mugging incidents between August and December, with 10 people killed by knife-wielding muggers during this period. Acknowledging this issue, Chowdhury stated, “Yes, mugging has increased, and I won’t deny that. However, a significant number of muggers are being caught regularly.”
The announcement follows recent successful anti-mugging operations by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, which resulted in the arrest of 93 suspected muggers in a single 24-hour operation. Law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to combat the rising crime rate, with police now patrolling 50 different stations across the city daily.
Addressing concerns about institutional integrity, Chowdhury defended the recent Sub-Inspector recruitment test, stating no irregularities or corruption occurred. He welcomed public scrutiny, saying, “Even if I ever engage in corruption, feel free to expose me publicly. I have no objections.”
The Home Affairs Adviser also praised the media’s role in accurate reporting, noting that truthful journalism has helped counter misinformation and enabled more effective law enforcement action.
Source: The Daily Star
