The Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, has issued a shoot-to-kill order against individuals involved in fire-setting and cocktail bomb attacks on people, police personnel, and vehicles.
Commissioner Sajjat Ali confirmed the directive to the press this evening (Sunday), stating, “Those who attack people and police members with cocktail bombs and set fire to vehicles have been instructed to be shot, in accordance with the law.”
The DMP Commissioner’s announcement follows a similar directive given by the Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner to his officials five days ago, which had sparked public discussion. Multiple officials from the DMP’s Crime Division confirmed that Commissioner Sajjat Ali relayed the instruction via a radio message this afternoon.
Speaking anonymously, the officials told media outlets that the Commissioner also instructed police to use lethal force to repel attackers who attempt to assault, fire-set, or bomb state-critical installations, banks, and financial institutions.
Background of Violence
The directive comes amidst a wave of political violence tied to upcoming legal proceedings. Tomorrow (Monday), the International Crimes Tribunal is set to deliver its verdict on the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was deposed during the July Mass Uprising and is facing charges of crimes against humanity.
In the week leading up to the verdict, the Awami League, which is currently under an operational ban, called a ‘lockdown’ program. Since November 10, this program has been linked to incidents of arson targeting buses and trains, as well as cocktail bomb explosions across Dhaka and other parts of the country.
Over the last 24 hours (Saturday night through Sunday morning), multiple incidents of vehicles being set on fire and cocktail bombs being hurled were reported in various areas of Dhaka. In connection with these acts of violence, police have launched operations and arrested 18 Awami League activists and leaders across the city.
