ADC Harun’s infamy finally gets noticed
Why was his history of excessive use of force not addressed before?
After numerous allegations of abuse of authority against Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADC) Harun-or-Rashid, we are relieved to see that his violent tendencies have finally gotten the police administration's attention. According to media reports, Harun was transferred less than 24 hours after he tortured two members of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Shahbagh police station on Saturday evening. A three-member probe committee has been formed by police to look into the matter, and on Monday afternoon, the home ministry suspended him.
Over the past few years, ADC Harun has racked up an "impressive" record with his abusive behaviour. There have been a number of media reports detailing how he assaulted students, teachers, journalists, members of opposition parties – anyone who protested on a public issue or against a government policy. His excessive use of force has been brought to the notice of police higher-ups many times, but in vain. In one instance last year, he even slapped a fellow police member, the video of which went viral. When this issue was raised before the then DMP commissioner, he categorically said no action would be taken against the ADC. In March this year, Harun reportedly led a police attack on journalists and lawyers during the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) election. One of the victims, a senior reporter at ATN News, said he had complained to senior police officials about Harun's assault, but no action had been taken.
However, we find it curious that after all the failed attempts to draw attention to his abuse of power, the police authorities decided to act only when he assaulted two members of the ruling party's student wing. Does this not imply that due process against an act of injustice was taken based on political considerations?
That ADC Harun has broken rules by overexerting his authority on a number of occasions should have been addressed a long time ago. We urge the police administration to pay heed to all complaints of police misdemeanour and brutality with the same fervour that they did in the case of ADC Harun. They must remember that their primary obligation is to the citizens of the country, not the ruling party.