Amid the nationwide crackdown on drug, a heap of allegations have surfaced against police of making money.
Several victims’ families have claimed police demanded money from them in exchange of not including their relatives in the list of the drug dealers.
People, who sometimes informed top police officials of forces members’ or informants’ about the involvement with drug dealings, were first detained then shown arrested in drug cases.
In some cases, it has been alleged actual real drug dealers walked out of custody after heavily bribing the police.
Forty-year-old Shahin Ahmed, a resident of capital’s Banasree, used to raise his voice when he witnessed any irregularity and injustice in his neighbourhood and notified the authorities.
Ahmed, who is an air conditioner repairer, made a complaint on involvement of drug dealing against Rampura police SI Siddique several months ago.
On Jun 6, the Rampura police detained him and claimed that 135 Yaba tablets were found him.
Speaking to Bangla Tribune, Ahmed’s sister Jantatul Ferdous Lina said, “I came out of the house on Thursday night after I received a call around 1am. Later, I learned that he was detained with yaba.”
“He was inhumanly tortured at the police station although he faced no allegation or had been named in any case in the past,” Lina said.
Police showed Ahmed arrested in a drug case and produced him before the court seeking remand. The court sent him to jail denying remand plea.
Ahmed was named in drug case due to complaining against the police and his anti-drug role, claims his sister.
The Rampura police, however, denied it.
“He (Ahmed) is actual drug dealer and we have been trying to arrest him for long,” OC Praloy Kumar Saha told Bangla Tribune.
Another victim, on condition of anonymity, shared his experience with Bangla Tribune.
On May 28, the Dhaka’s New Market-based businessman was his way to Kaptanbazar early in the morning on his motorcycle. He was stopped at a police checkpost near the High Court.
“At one point after conducting a search, they suddenly claimed I was a yaba dealer. I called one of acquaintances to prove my identity, but when he came, he too faced the similar problem.”
The New Market-based businessman claimed the police let them go only after paying whatever cash they had. “I had Tk 20,000 and my acquaintance Tk 6,000.”
In the southern district of Pirojpur’s Mathbaria Upazila, police OC Golama Sarwar allegedly released a drug addict and suspect in several cases in exchange of money on May 27.
In northern district of Kurigram’s Roumari Upazila, allegations have surfaced against the local police OC Jahangir Alam of being involved in drug dealings.
Local MP Md Ruhul Amin with several other elected representatives, including the upazila chairman have written to the home minister on the issue.
In Feni, 20-year-old Shamim and 23-year-old Mojnu Mia Monir were allegedly killed in ‘shootouts’ with police in Fulgazi Upazila on May 25 after their families failed to bribe the police.
Speaking to Bangla Tribune, Shamin’s mother Awara Begum said that Fulgazi police picked up her son along with another man, Ratan.
Later, police released Ratan and demanded Tk 200,000 for releasing him. “Police killed my son that night as I failed to give the money,” she said.
Police detectives picked up Monir from his sister’s house in the Feni district town in the night.
“Later, the DB demanded Tk 150,000 for his release,” said Rozina Begum, sister of deceased Monir before adding that he was shot dead as they failed to pay the money.
Denying the allegation, Fulgazi police OC Humayun Kabir told Bangla Tribune, “These two youths were known drug dealers of the area.”
The Bangladesh Police headquarters said they have received complaints from across the country on police cashing in on drug raid.
“Investigations will be opened into all allegations. Departmental actions and criminal procedures will be initiated if it’s found true. No one will be spared, Assistant Inspector General Saheli Ferdous told Bangla Tribune.