Responsible Leadership of Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz and the Civic Commitment of Chattogram on Thirty-First Night

Md. Kamal Uddin    |    ০৫:১৯ পিএম, ২০২৫-১২-৩০

Desk:
Thirty-First Night, though often viewed as a brief moment of Western-style celebration, carries a very different significance for Chattogram this year. On one hand, it marks the end of the year with the perennial challenge of maintaining public safety and law and order; on the other, it coincides with a deeply sorrowful chapter in the nation’s political history—the passing of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Against this backdrop of grief, respect, and collective restraint, the Honorable Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), Hasib Aziz, has issued a timely, clear, and firm set of directives to the city’s residents. Issued under the authority vested in him by Sections 28, 29, and 33 of the Bangladesh Police Ordinance, 1978, this public notice is not a mere formality. Rather, it stands as a document of conscious and responsible urban governance. The directives explicitly state that no events, gatherings, cultural programs, DJ parties, music, dance, or processions may be organized in open spaces, rooftops, streets, or public venues without prior permission. Furthermore, the ban on fireworks, firecrackers, and sky lanterns underscores the highest priority given to public safety and the prevention of fire hazards. In addition, to minimize risks related to intoxication and violence, the decision to keep all bars and liquor shops within the metropolitan area closed from 6:00 pm on December 31 to 6:00 pm on January 1 is a bold and public-interest-oriented measure. Carrying firearms, sharp weapons, sticks, or explosive materials in residential hotels, restaurants, public gathering places, and festive areas has been strictly prohibited, reflecting a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of potential violence. The restriction on access to Patenga and Parki sea beaches is equally significant. Past experiences have shown that excessive crowds during this time often increase the risk of accidents and untoward incidents. Under Commissioner Hasib Aziz’s leadership, CMP has taken preventive action well in advance to avert such dangers. Another crucial aspect of these directives relates to ethics and social decency. The firm stance against reckless driving, loud and unnecessary honking, movement under the influence of drugs, and any form of harassment or eve-teasing sends an unequivocal message: there is no alternative to obeying the law in this city. A large section of the city’s residents believes that, in such a time of national mourning, the true way to honor the memory of Begum Khaleda Zia and pray for the peace of her departed soul is not through excess or disorder, but through restraint, dignity, and responsible conduct. To observe Thirty-First Night not with unruly celebration but with silence, discipline, and social awareness may well be the most humane expression of respect for a national leader. Through this initiative, Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz has conveyed a clear message to the people of Chattogram: maintaining law and order is not the sole responsibility of the police it is a shared commitment between the administration and the citizens. To build a peaceful, safe, and dignified Chattogram, compliance with these directives is not optional; it is a necessity of the time. On this Thirty-First Night, let restraint—not revelry—define our celebration, and let discipline be the truest form of our tribute.