Proof of police inaction and negligence of duty found in Radda clinic attack: Home Minister

Salahuddin Ahmed, Home Minister, has said preliminary proof of police inaction and negligence of duty has been found in the attack, looting and vandalism at Radda clinic in Shah Ali Police Station area of Mirpur. He also said the officer-in-charge (OC) of Shah Ali Police Station has been withdrawn in this incident and a departmental case is being filed against him.

The home minister said these words at a press briefing on law and order situation and contemporary issues organised at the conference room of the Home Ministry in Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday (September 27).

Salahuddin Ahmed said the attack, looting and vandalism at Radda clinic took place at midnight on September 25. Direction was given to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) commissioner for investigation of the matter and on-the-spot observation of the situation. Later police conducted operation after inspecting the scene.

The minister said nine persons have been arrested so far in this incident. Alongside this, various looted goods and important evidence from the attack have been recovered. He also said strict legal action will be taken against every criminal involved in the incident.

Mentioning that any attempt to deteriorate the law and order situation will be suppressed strictly, the home minister said action is being taken against criminals without considering party or opinion. A criminal cannot have any political identity; action will be taken against him as a criminal according to law.

Regarding transfer of police officers he said if there is allegation of negligence of duty or involvement in any criminal activity the matter will not end only by transfer. If any officer is involved in treason or any other criminal offence legal steps will be taken in regular cases alongside departmental action against him.

At that time the home minister warned that criminal activities in the police force will not be tolerated in any way. As an example he raised the context of investigation, forensic examination and case and arrest on charge of treason against a former OC of Cantonment Police Station.

Mentioning the matter of finding preliminary proof of police negligence of duty in the Radda clinic incident, the home minister said appropriate departmental action is being taken against the concerned officers. At the same time the process of identifying those involved in the attack, looting and vandalism and bringing them under the law is also continuing.