Police must be freed from politics: Anwar

Former Deputy Inspector General of Police Md. Anwar Hossain, a veteran freedom fighter and dedicated police officer has contributed a lot for the development of law and order situation. He is one of the toppers BCS officer of 1982 batch, started his career as Assistant Superintend of Police and has retired as DIG and head of Special Branch. He has applauded the recent student movement for establishing a fascist-free regime of Bangladesh. He was interviewed recently by Farhad Chowdhury, Associated Editor of Daily Industry
Question: What is your evaluation as a freedom fighter and DIG of Police (retired) regarding the achievement of the second liberation war 2024 of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement protesters?
Anwar Hossain: After my retirement in the year of 2014 as DIG of Police from special branch in Dhaka, I joined in different universitieslike Gono Bishwabidyalay Saver, Stamford University, Bangladesh Islamic University and Atish Dipankar University at Dhaka, as a professor as well as visiting scholar and work for sometimes as proctorof Stamford University. SoI have a good relationship with a lot of students and teachers of several universities. I actively participated in the recent student movement from sense of responsibility as a conscious citizen of Bangladesh. Iprayed to Allah for the students and participants who sacrificed their lives for liberation war in the year 2024 for giving them Jannatul Ferdaous and salute those who participated actively liberated the country from the attack of the ruling govt. who used the police force against the desire and aspiration of the peoples of Bangladesh against the demand of Anti Discrimination Movement Protesters. Their demand was very fair, scientific and very lawful. Their demand was very much parallel with the prevailing economic and social conditions of the country. But unruly Awami did not consider their demands sympathetically and impartially rather Hasina regime applied force by hiring Chatra Leage and petoa Police force, BGB upon the innocent studentsof Dhaka University. Later on, it spread all over the country and ousted PM Shiekh Hasina who orderedher petoaBahini for shooting to prevent the movement. But ultimately failed to control the movements and she had to resign and was compelled to leave the countryfor the safety of her own life leaving her supporters in the fire of Anti Discriminations Movements Protesters on 5 August 2024.I again salute to the young generations for bringing the date Dhaka seize one day ahead otherwise killing could be enhance more on 5th August 2024. The situation could be otherwise due to unfairness,biasness and illegal occupation they did as their personal gain irrespective of the sanctity, honesty and patriotism and love of the people of Bangladesh.
Question: How are you influenced by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement protesters?
Anwar Hossain: Yes. I am surely influenced by their movements as a freedom fighter (Bir Muktijoddah) of liberation War 1971 but that time it was the attract by Pak Bahini brutally upon Bangladeshi people. But this time it is really very unfortunate that our own Police & BGB Bahini bagged by Awami Chatra Leage shot at our innocent and child students for preventing the legal and lawful movements. Even in 1971 liberation war no shooting was upon the mass people from the helicopters but this time very brutally shooting was done from helicopters upon our citizens irrespective of age, race and religion etc.
Anti-Discrimination Student Movement protesters showed us the correct and real patriotism by protesting against the irregularities and tortures by the illegal government. They proved again that truth must prevail and the entire nation joined with their movements. Ultimately without loving the people no one can survive. Real patriotism really survives at last.
Question: Do you think that you were not properly evaluated as a freedom fighter during Awami regime?
Anwar Hossain: Awami League-led government attached me as a superintendent of police (SP) from additional deputy inspector general by misusing power which badly disregarded my career and belittled me in the family and society and my career also. I am a freedom fighter officer who was devalued by the Awami government. I am one of the burning examples of the outgoing government was never friendly to freedom fighters on the question of morality. I fought in sector No. 9 under Major Jalil and we did not go for liberation war in 1971 for getting any sorts of quota facility or any sorts of personal gain. By studying in my student life, I got job by dint of merit not by any favor as Muktijoddah. After completing graduation and post-graduation from Dhaka University from Economics Department getting 4th position in S.S.C and 2nd position in H.S.C from Dhaka College. I joined police in the batch-82 as the freedom fighter. I am the lone person who was deprived of becoming Additional IGP and IGP and I was SP in 2002. I joined in Police service as ASP giving first choice in BCS only for giving services to the humanity and society as a freedom fighter. But I was totally disappointed when I found myself superseded many times by my junior colleagues of my junior batch BCS 1984 batch. I became DIG in 2012 by this time and before many junior colleagues became DIG and additional IG. It was very disgraceful for me to serve under my junior and it was possible only for Awami regime. My fault was that I was not dashing to Awami rigime and I was regular namaji and a bearded police officer. It is to be reported here that I joined BCS cadre Police service with beard and retired with beard. I think that was my only fault to Awami regime. They always against tupi (cap), dari (beard)
It is mentioned here that I served UN Mission three times and I was the only person who was selected among all the police officers of Bangladesh by the Indian Government scholarship because of my merits service record during my service time. I took training in Delhi for three months with a scholarship. But I failed to become Additional IG or IGP. So, I am the burning example of deprivation by the Awami regime though they always spoke high of Muktijuddah but it was totally Bhua (false) and complete lie. They did not bear any ideology of Mukijuddah rather they damaged the ideology of Muktijuddoh of liberation war in 1971. During their 15 years regime of torture and they made Ayna Ghor (House of Glass), where no light and air available and it was air and light tied house.
Question: What do you want now?
Anwar Hossain: I welcome to the new interim government and welcome young generation of 2024 for their sacrifices and they showed us by directing and raising the finger towards the right path. We should never be misled for personal gaining of illegal benefits and profits. Without fear and favor we should do the correct and just things for the sake of hard earned and blooded liberation in 2024. Our country is first, liberation and freedom, honesty, dedication, patriotism. We are all Bangladeshi irrespective of caste, creed and religion.We should live united and will not divide inshallah.
The police force can no longer be made into a baton force and individuals. Evaluation should be made on basis of integrity, corruption-free and merit. Police must be established free from politics and religious identity to professionalism should not be acceptable in no way. They must be dedicated and loyal to patriotism.