Dhaka, Oct 28 (V7N)- The government has begun proceedings to revoke the official passports of police officers who have been dismissed or are currently in hiding. The passport department has reached out to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the names and national ID numbers of these officers, with cancellations expected once this information is received from Police Headquarters. Major General Md Nurul Anwar, head of the department, confirmed this development.

Among those facing passport cancellations are former Special Branch Additional IGP Monirul Islam, former DMP Commissioner Habibur Rahman, DIG Harunor Rashid, and Additional DIG Biplob Kumar Sarkar. This move aims to prevent these officers, many of whom went into hiding following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5, from fleeing the country.

Investigation reports indicate that Harunor Rashid, the former DMP additional commissioner, is at the top of the absconding officers list. Although he is still officially listed at Police Headquarters, he has not been on duty and is a key suspect in cases related to casualties stemming from law enforcement actions around and after August 5. Sources allege he has fled the country using a regular passport obtained through fraudulent means, which is also set for cancellation.

Harun has been implicated in 38 cases and gained notoriety in his last role as additional commissioner of the DMP Detective Branch. The list of fugitives also includes five notable additional DIGs who are officially marked as absent. Biplob Kumar Sarkar ranks second on this list and faces 27 charges related to violence against students and civilians; he is believed to have escaped to India.

Other additional DIGs such as Proloy Kumar Joarder, Khondker Nurunnabi, SM Mehedi Hasan, and Sanjit Kumar Roy, are also absent, each facing multiple cases tied to the events around August 5. Additional officers, including Additional DIG Uttam Kumar Pal and several SPs and ASPs, are absent due to illness or have resigned.

According to Police Headquarters, ASP John Rana submitted his resignation on August 2, just days prior to the August 5 incidents, which was processed and sent to the home ministry by August 28.

The comprehensive list of 187 absconding police personnel includes five inspectors, 14 sub-inspectors, nine assistant sub-inspectors, seven nayeks, and 132 constables, with two being female officers.

A senior police official, speaking anonymously, noted that multiple police teams are actively working across the country to apprehend these fugitive officers. He acknowledged the difficulties in locating those who have fled abroad, as precise information regarding their whereabouts remains elusive. Some have attempted to escape but failed, remaining in hiding within the country. "The police are making efforts to locate and apprehend them," he added.

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