Dhaka, Sep 29 (V7N) - Following the downfall of the Awami League government after the student-led public movement, numerous police officials have gone into hiding, with many fleeing the country. Among them, former influential police officer Mir Rezaul Alam has recently joined the list. According to multiple police sources, on September 18, he fled to Sydney, Australia, through the airport.

Mir Rezaul Alam, an officer from the 15th batch of the police, hails from Chougachhi village in Sreepur, Magura. His last position was as Additional IGP, stationed at the police headquarters. After the regime change on August 5, he stopped reporting to work and began plotting his escape. On September 18, he boarded a Malaysian Airlines flight and fled to Sydney.

Sources within the police reveal that Mir Rezaul Alam bypassed immigration by “managing” a senior officer from the Special Branch. This revelation caused a major stir within the force, as the same official is reported to have aided several others in fleeing the country.

A case was filed against Mir Rezaul Alam at Paltan Police Station on September 14. In fear of arrest, he went into hiding and eventually decided to leave the country. He had previously served in multiple high-ranking positions, including Additional Commissioner (Administration) for Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and head of the Traffic Division, along with other roles such as Operations Branch head and Superintendent of Police in Kishoreganj.

Since the shift in power on August 5, a total of 187 officers and members have been reported absent from duty, as confirmed by the police headquarters. Moreover, approximately two dozen officers have been forced into retirement. Around 300 officers and members, including those in Dhaka, face legal charges.

In addition, reports indicate that several senior police officials, including former officers AKM Shahidul Hoque, Asaduzzaman Mia, and contractually appointed IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, have been arrested. Approval has also been obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs to arrest an additional dozen-and-a-half officers, with their detention expected at any moment.

Furthermore, police officers who served as Officers-in-Charge (OIC) during the protests at 50 Dhaka police stations are also under scrutiny. Among them, former OICs of Jatrabari and Gulshan police stations, Abul Hasan and Mazharul Islam, have already been arrested. Additionally, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, and other officials from areas where protestors were killed in police shootings are expected to face legal action.

Uncertainty surrounds the whereabouts of Harun-or-Rashid, the former chief of the Detective Branch and one of the most controversial police officials in Bangladesh. He has not been seen in public since August 5. Some sources suggest that Harun is receiving treatment after being assaulted, while others claim he has crossed the border illegally. Another officer, Biplob Kumar Sarkar, is reported to have fled to India via the Lalmonirhat border. Other police officials with close ties to the Awami League have also reportedly left the country through various means.

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