“Crimes against humanity”: A list of police officers is drawn up

The investigative body of the International Criminal Court (ICT) is drawing up a list of members of the police and other forces involved in killings, genocide, arrests, torture and crimes against humanity in order to suppress the mass uprising.

The investigation agency has also started collecting names for a list of Awami League’s armed henchmen who were involved in crimes against humanity during the student-led movement in July and August.

The agency has sent several letters to various armed forces asking for details of their members who were on duty and involved in operations during the movement.

Md Mazharul Hoque, the agency’s coordinator, confirmed the development and told The Daily Star that they had sent several letters to the forces, including the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), asking about their security plans during the protests .

Sources said that after receiving the details, the investigative agency will investigate the role of security personnel in suppressing the movement and then take legal action against the officials depending on the extent of their crimes.

The Daily Star has obtained copies of two letters signed by Mazharul addressed to the DMP commissioner on October 3 and 6.

According to the first letter, the authority requested details of the officers and inspectors in charge (investigations) of all police stations under the DMP. The agency also requested the lists of all sub-inspectors and inspectors working in the detective department of DMP.

In the second point, the agency asked DMP to provide attested copies of command certificates (CCs) for July 18-19 and August 3-5 of all its divisions and units.

In CCs, the police record information including the names of the responders, their designations, duty hours, the purpose of the service and details of the area of ​​operation. These certificates also explain how many firearms, bullets and other equipment were taken by the emergency services during the period of duty.

With the CCs, sources said, the ICT Investigation Agency will be able to analyze what type of firearms and how many bullets were fired at unarmed students and people during the riot.

In the letter, the agency also asked the DMP to provide details of ballistics reports on firearms used during the reporting period, if reports were prepared.

In the other letter, the agency asked the DMP commissioner to provide an organizational chart of the Crime and Operations Unit and details of officers and their designations who were on duty from July 16 to August 5.

DMP deputy commissioner (headquarters and administration) Taherul Haque Chowhan told The Daily Star yesterday that they received the letters from the ICT on Saturday. The DMP’s Crime and Operations Unit has already been tasked to take the necessary steps and provide information.

“Hopefully we can announce details soon,” Taherul said.

The ICT investigation agency is also preparing a list of armed goons of political organizations, particularly the Awami League and its affiliates Jubo League and Chhatra League, a senior agency official confirmed to The Daily Star, requesting anonymity.

Many of these partygoers were seen using lethal weapons to suppress the student movement.

Several police officers believe that drawing up a list of officers for their involvement in the crimes during the movement would be another blow to the police force. Police are still struggling to get back on their feet after the riot.

“We are already suffering from the charges in criminal cases. Now if we take legal action and analyze the CC reports, many of us will be accused of a crime we did not commit,” an officer of the rank of additional superintendent of police told The Daily Star.

Requesting anonymity, the official said the move would destroy the moral strength of field workers.

According to the police headquarters database, at least 449 police officers were charged in 300 cases in the July and August incidents, mostly for murder.

As many as 17 police officers were arrested in these cases, including two former inspectors general of police and several other top serving officials.

A sub-inspector posted at the DMP during July-August told this newspaper that they performed their duty as per the instructions of the superior.

“We didn’t even properly write or track the CC reports on July 17-18 and August 3-5 because that was when the movement was at its peak.”

“It would therefore be difficult to get a real picture from an analysis of the CC reports. But we have to face charges now,” the SI said, asking not to be named.