CMP Commissioner orders shoot on sight of armed criminals’

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz has ordered to shoot on sight of firearms carrying persons and ‘armed criminals’ with submachine guns (SMGs).

The directive, issued via a wireless message on Tuesday night (12 August), orders all CMP personnel, from mobile and patrol units to Detective Branch teams, to carry firearms and live ammunition in line with pre-5 August 2024 authorisation levels. It also prohibits the deployment of any mobile, patrol, DB, or checkpoint teams without firearms.

According to multiple newspaper reports, he gave this instruction in several times from 12:30pm to 1pm in the wake of the shooting incident in the port city.

At least five CMP officials confirmed the ‘brush fire’ order to a national daily. Their report said that the CMP Commissioner said: "Shotguns, China rifles and rubber bullets are not enough, now SMGs will be in brush fire mode."

When asked about the instructions, the CMP Commissioner admitted it and said: "The shoot on sight order is not for unarmed people. I will not use SMG on those who do not have weapons."

"This instruction is for terrorists, those who are armed. They entered my area and committed a murder in broad daylight (led by Bayezid). They should not dare to do such an incident again. Armed criminals entered the city to carry out such a crime. They should not be able to imagine it even in their dreams, that is why this arrangement is in place," he said.

He said: "SMG will be in brushfire mode for those like Sajjad Bahini, Yasin Bahini, Burma Saiful, etc., who kill people over trivial issue."

Regarding the November 13 lockdown, he said: "I assure you that this will not be applied to those of the Awami League who hold a quick procession. I will arrest them and hand them over to the court. I did not ask them to open fire on unarmed Awami League members. Let this not be misinterpreted."

The Police Commissioner once again reminded police officers that they have the personal right to self-defense under Sections 96 to 106 of the Penal Code, and said that the Commissioner will bear all the responsibility.