End of Shadow Forces in Chattogram: The Absolute Rule of Law Will Prevail CMC Commissioner Hasib Aziz Speaks with Unflinching Courage

Md. Kamal Uddin    |    ০৩:৫৪ পিএম, ২০২৫-১২-২০

— Mohammad Kamal Uddin
No shadow militias, godfathers, or criminal forces will be allowed to exist in Chattogram anymore. There will be only one legitimate force in the city—the state’s law enforcement agency, Bangladesh Police. No criminal, regardless of how powerful or politically connected, is above the law. Any attempt to sabotage the upcoming national election will be crushed with an iron hand. This firm and uncompromising declaration was made by Additional IGP and Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz while addressing journalists at a views-exchange meeting held on Thursday at 11:00 am at the Karnaphuli Hall of the Chattogram Press Club.His speech reflected not only administrative firmness but also a deep commitment to statecraft, democracy, accountability, and constitutional balance. Democracy Survives on Checks and Balances-Commissioner Hasib Aziz emphasized that a state survives only when its institutions maintain a proper system of checks and balances. The relationship between the police and the media must also reflect this balance. Excessive closeness, he warned, is harmful; professional distance is essential for the greater good of the state. He cautioned that when state institutions and media begin to speak in the same voice, democracy weakens and authoritarianism takes root. The last 17 years of governance, he said, stand as a stark and frightening example of this reality.Journalists, he noted, have a duty to question, investigate, and expose the truth—and the police must be prepared to face those questions. Power without scrutiny never serves public interest. Criticism Is Not Hostility—It Is Correction-Calling for objective and fearless criticism, the CMP Commissioner urged journalists to highlight any mistakes, negligence, or irregularities committed by him or any police officer. He stressed that criticism should not be viewed as hostility but as an opportunity for correction. “If allegations are proven true,” he assured, “appropriate action will be taken.” Firm in Mind, Humane in Conduct  Addressing police conduct, Hasib Aziz stated that while police officers must be mentally tough to confront crime and terrorism, their behavior must remain polite, humane, and respectful. He highlighted the philosophy of “Policing with a Smiling Face” as the cornerstone of modern policing. Beneath the uniform, he reminded, every police officer is also a citizen—and that realization should guide interactions with the public. Zero Tolerance for Armed Gangs-Taking an uncompromising stance against criminal groups, the CMP Commissioner declared: “Sajjad Bahini, Laltu Bahini, Paltu Bahini—every such armed group must be eliminated. Elimination means elimination. If necessary, I will not hesitate to take extreme measures.” This statement leaves no room for ambiguity: Chattogram will no longer tolerate named gangs, covert forces, or criminal sanctuaries. The city will be governed solely by the rule of law, ensuring a secure and dignified life for its citizens. Protecting the Ballot, Defeating the Conspiracy-Regarding the upcoming national election, Hasib Aziz said that ousted autocratic forces and their domestic and international allies are attempting to create fear and instability. For them, the election is a “litmus test.” The police, he affirmed, are fully alert and prepared to thwart these conspiracies. Safeguarding the people’s right to vote remains the highest priority of the police. 
Dr. Muhammad Yunus: A National Asset-Describing Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government, as a “national asset,” the CMP Commissioner said that individuals of such global credibility, acceptance, and respect are rare. “To let him fail,” he warned, “would be to damage the state itself.” For the sake of democracy and national interest, he emphasized, Dr. Yunus must be allowed to succeed.Recovery of Looted Weapons
On the issue of looted arms, Hasib Aziz informed that approximately 80 percent of the weapons have already been recovered. The remaining 20 percent are believed to be in the hands of separatist groups in hilly regions. However, intensive operations are underway to recover all weapons before the election Meeting Overview-The meeting was chaired by Zahidul Karim Kochi, President of the Chattogram Press Club and Resident Editor of Amar Desh, and moderated by Shahnewaz Riton, Bureau Chief of Channel One. Special guests included Ekushey Padak-winning journalist and Daily Azadi Editor M A Malek. Speakers included Daily People’s View Editor and former Press Club General Secretary Osman Gani Mansur, Senior Vice President and Kaler Kantho Bureau Chief Mustafa Naim, Acting General Secretary and BSS Special Correspondent Mia Md. Arif, Executive Member Saleh Noman, Inqilab Bureau Chief Rafiqul Islam Selim, among others. More than one hundred senior journalists from print and electronic media attended the event. A Clear Roadmap for Chattogram This was not merely an administrative statement—it was a clear roadmap for the future of security, democracy, and citizens’ rights in Chattogram. The message from Commissioner Hasib Aziz was unequivocal: No one is above the law. And in Chattogram, only the law will rule.