Gaibandha Student Shooting: Police officer Ibn Mizan now DC in Dhaka
Gazi Anowar :
Ibn Mizan, the Additional Superintendent of Police who allegedly led the shooting on students during the anti-discrimination movement in Gaibandha, has now been appointed as the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in Tejgaon Division.
Formerly involved in student politics with the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), Mizan reportedly aligns himself with the BNP.
Sources said Ibn Mizan hails from Bamanidah village in Charghat, Rajshahi. His father, Niamat Ali, was a freedom fighter and a former police officer.
Mizan completed his education from Mymensingh Agricultural University before joining the police force through the BCS examination on December 1, 2010.
Over his career, he has served as an Additional Superintendent of Police in various districts, including Pabna, Cox’s Bazar, and Gaibandha. Following the government’s fall on August 5, he was transferred to Dhaka as a DC for the first time.
Eyewitnesses and victims from Gaibandha report that on July 17, Mizan, while stationed at Rail Gate No. 1, ordered rubber bullets and tear gas to be fired at a student protest, injuring at least 40 students. He was also present when ruling party activists vandalized and torched the BNP district office. Later that night, 35 students were arrested and subjected to overnight torture.
On July 19, when BNP leaders held a peaceful gathering in support of the student movement, Mizan led an attack to disperse the protest. He personally assaulted senior BNP leaders inside their party office, severely beating district BNP Vice-President Shahiduzzaman Shahid, who had to be hospitalized.
Several other BNP leaders were arrested, and that night, 70 opposition activists were detained and tortured, followed by explosives and Anti-State Act cases being filed against them. Mizan reportedly advised requesting a 15-day remand for the detainees.
Further reports from Gaibandha confirm that on August 1, as a peaceful student march proceeded towards the district commissioner’s office, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the demonstrators, injuring many.
The same night, mass raids were conducted at the homes of opposition leaders, leading to widespread destruction.
On August 5, the day Sheikh Hasina fled the country, a massive student and public protest erupt. Under Mizan’s command, police fired live rounds, rubber bullets, and tear gas, injuring over 500 demonstrators. Many wounded individuals were prevented from receiving medical treatment due to police intervention, forcing some to flee instead of seeking care.
A police source revealed that Mizan, during his tenure as Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration & Finance) in Gaibandha, was responsible for internal police constable transfers. He allegedly used to take bribes for transfers while on duty. When this practice became widely known within the district police, the Superintendent of Police (SP) took away his transfer authority.
Further inquiries indicate that during the one-sided parliamentary election on January 7, 2024, Mizan was in charge of Gobindaganj, where he clashed twice with election officials over securing 100 percent votes for the ruling party’s candidate. His actions prompted intervention from the SP and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
Regarding Mizan’s actions, Gazibanda District BNP Vice-President Shahiduzzaman Shahid told The New Nation that, “Mizan cannot be considered a human being; he is an arrogant police officer. His sole purpose in Gaibandha was to suppress BNP.”
He further added, “On July 11, BNP had a major program that concluded peacefully. After the program, I was standing with the district BNP president in front of the party office. Before I could comprehend what was happening, Ibn Mizan brutally beat me with a baton, leaving me bloodied. He injured many during the student movement and left many crippled. How is this man still serving in the police force? That is my question.”
Speaking to The New Nation, Ibn Mizan told, “During the July Movement, BNP leaders were attacked under the leadership of Additional Police Superintendent Mamun. At that time, I was there and rescued them. There is plenty of video evidence to support this.”
Mizan also addressed allegations made against him by Gaibandha District BNP Vice President Shahiduzzaman, dismissing them as a “mistake.” He said, “Gaibandha District BNP Vice President Shahiduzzaman is mistakenly making allegations against me. I believe this is an error on his part.”