You may have to guard homes again if police morale undermined: DMP chief

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Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Sajjat Ali on Thursday warned that efforts to undermine police morale could again force citizens to guard their own homes, as witnessed after August 5 last year.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating the DB Cyber Support Centre on Minto Road, he said significant effort had been made to rebuild police morale. “Please do not try to break this morale. If it collapses, you will have to guard your houses with bamboo sticks, just like after August 5 last year,” he cautioned. Referring to a recent viral incident, he said police officers had faced inappropriate behaviour while trying to prevent unrest.

“We do not stand on the streets to clash with you. We are there to serve you. Such behaviour deeply hurts us,” he said.

The DMP chief said an officer was injured on Wednesday night after miscreants hurled a cocktail near Pallabi Police Station. “He was an innocent officer standing on the road. Such attacks damage police morale and ultimately harm everyone,” he said.

The DMP chief warned that attempts to create instability after the recent change in government could push society into further disorder and urged those involved to stop immediately.

Asked about shooting those who throw cocktails, he said the law—not he—dictates police action. “I did not make the law. Parliament makes the law. Whatever is stated in the law is what my officers follow.”He urged city residents to work together to maintain peace and ensure public safety.