Dhaka: Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today reiterated that the people whose negligence in performing duties helped former President M Abdul Hamid leave the country would be punished. “Those involved in it must face the music,” he said. The Home Adviser was responding to multiple questions from journalists after completing the inspection of the immigration process at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Jahangir stated that a committee has already been formed to probe the entire incident, which has been tasked with submitting a report within three working days. “After getting the probe report, legal actions will be taken against the responsible people,” he added. Several police officers have already faced consequences in connection with this incident.
In response to a question about a travel ban on Abdul Hamid sent to the Home Ministry, Jahangir mentioned he was unaware of it but assured that the probe body would address the issue. Regarding public inconvenience caused by road blockages demanding a ban on Awami League (AL), he urged protesters to hold demonstrations elsewhere to avoid disrupting the public. Jahangir also called on journalists to raise awareness about the issue.
When asked about government efforts to bring back ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through Interpol, Jahangir confirmed that efforts are ongoing. “We’re trying to make it through the Interpol which will take measures as per their laws,” he explained.
Earlier on May 8, two senior police officers were withdrawn, and two others were suspended due to their negligence in duties, which facilitated former President Abdul Hamid’s departure. Among those affected, police super of Kishoreganj Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury and an additional superintendent of immigration police Tahsina Arif were withdrawn, while SI Azharul Islam and ATSI Md Solaiman of Special Branch (SB) of police faced suspension.
The Police Headquarters formed a three-member investigation committee headed by additional IG (admin) Md Matiur Rahman Sheikh to probe the incident. Abdul Hamid, ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and 122 others were accused in a July uprising case filed with Kishoreganj Sadar Model Police Station on January 14, involving an attack on the anti-discrimination student movement during the August mass uprising in Kishoreganj.