Munshiganj — Three police officers were withdrawn on Tuesday after they allegedly failed to act during a Jubo League procession protesting the death sentence handed down to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The incident, which unfolded in Basail Union under Sirajdikhan upazila, has triggered discussions about inconsistent policing practices and the shifting political landscape under the interim administration.
The rally began around 9 a.m. at Imamganj Bazar, where 25–30 participants marched with banners of “Sirajdikhan Upazila Awami Jubo League” and “Munshiganj District Chhatra League.” Videos that circulated widely online showed brief speeches, slogan-chanting, and the symbolic assertion of support for Sheikh Hasina, who was sentenced to death in absentia in a highly controversial and widely criticized tribunal process.
Local sources reported that the procession was led by Sirajdikhan Upazila Jubo League joint convener Jahirul Islam Litu, while the Chhatra League group was led by Sheikh Shawon, former general secretary of Louhajang Upazila Chhatra League.
A police patrol vehicle arrived shortly after the rally began. However, officers on duty reportedly did not attempt to disperse the gathering. Officer-in-Charge Abu Bakar Siddique stated that participants fled upon seeing the police vehicle. Still, a preliminary review found that the patrol team had failed to take “effective or timely action.”
Following the inquiry, Sub-Inspector Md Kamruzzaman and constables Md Shafik and Md Badsha were withdrawn to the district police lines. The OC confirmed: “They were removed on the instructions of district police for their failure to act appropriately during the incident.”
Meanwhile, three individuals—Malkhanagar Union Jubo League president Mokbul Hossain Dewan (54), Md Sohel Sheikh (35), and Montu Bhuiyan (30)—were arrested in connection with organizing the rally.
Observers familiar with police operations note that the swift withdrawal of officers contrasts with the pattern seen since August 5, when the interim government took control after the forcible ouster of Sheikh Hasina. In many cases, critics argue, police have taken a harsher stance toward Awami League supporters while displaying unusual leniency toward groups aligned with the interim administration.
Several local residents expressed concern over the broader political climate, pointing out that the rally was peaceful and dispersed without confrontation. They argue that disciplinary action against police—despite no violence occurring—reflects a deliberate attempt to suppress public expressions of dissent against the controversial tribunal verdict.
The sentencing of Sheikh Hasina has already drawn condemnation from national and international voices, including strong criticism from the Catholic Church of Bangladesh. Church leaders called the tribunal “one-sided,” “politically driven,” and part of a process that undermines fair justice and due-process norms. Their statement has become a defining moral critique of the interim government’s handling of political opposition.
Against this backdrop, Tuesday’s police withdrawals in Munshiganj are viewed by many analysts as part of a broader pattern of pressure on law enforcement to contain expressions of support for Sheikh Hasina, particularly in rural districts where grassroots loyalty remains strong.
With national elections expected in February, incidents such as this are becoming increasingly significant markers of the political environment. The continued arrest of pro-Awami League activists, combined with disciplinary actions against officers hesitant to crack down on peaceful demonstrations, illustrates the level of scrutiny—and tension—that now surrounds even small-scale political gatherings.
