Dismissed police personnel seek PM's intervention for reinstatement

A group of dismissed police personnel on Monday urged the Prime Minister to intervene and ensure their reinstatement, claiming they were removed from service during the Awami League government's tenure due to political persecution rather than proven misconduct.

They made the demand during a human chain programme held in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

Speaking at the programme, representatives of the dismissed personnel said they were among 1,522 police officers and employees who had either been dismissed or forced into retirement without fair departmental inquiries.

They alleged that the previous government removed hundreds of honest and competent police personnel to serve political interests and suppress dissent.

According to the protesters, after the change in government they appealed to the interim government for justice.

They claimed the Home Ministry later issued an order supporting their reinstatement on humanitarian grounds.

Following the ministry's decision, Police Headquarters formed a 10-member high-level committee, led by a Deputy Inspector General (DIG), to review the cases, they said. The committee reportedly examined the matter over six months before submitting four recommendations.

They also said Police Headquarters' Media Cell announced through the media on February 8, 2025, that the 1,522 dismissed police personnel would soon be reinstated, raising hopes among the affected members and their families.

However, they alleged that despite the Home Ministry's order, the committee's findings and the public announcement, the reinstatement process has yet to be implemented.

The protesters further claimed there had been inconsistencies in implementing the committee's recommendations. They alleged that although the committee recommended reinstating only those who had received two favourable verdicts from the Administrative Appellate Tribunal, some personnel with only one favourable verdict were later allowed to return to service.

Addressing the gathering, former Sub-Inspector Mamun Sirajul Haque urged the prime minister to ensure implementation of the Home Ministry's reinstatement order and the Police Headquarters committee's recommendations, expressing hope that the affected 1,522 families would be able to regain their livelihoods and return to serving the country.