Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M. Sakhawat Hussain, the Adviser for Shipping, Labour, and Employment, has heralded a transformative shift in the conduct of the Bangladesh Police. Speaking at a consultative assembly on the national referendum held at the Mirza Ruhul Amin Auditorium in Thakurgaon this Wednesday, the Adviser asserted that the era of state-sponsored police brutality—characterised by batons and bullets—is over.
Table of Contents
A Paradigm Shift in Law Enforcement
Addressing a diverse crowd of civil society members and officials, Dr Sakhawat emphasised the interim government’s commitment to a more compassionate style of governance. “The police no longer beat the common people with rods, nor do they open fire on them,” he declared. “We simply do not permit it. Our objective is to cultivate a humanitarian force. I urge you all to support them and restore the respect that has been lost.”
The Adviser drew a poignant contrast between the current climate and the “ghastly” events of the July-August uprising in 2024. He recalled the harrowing imagery of young victims being piled onto vans, describing it as a stain on the national conscience. “Do we truly wish to return to such a state?” he asked, urging the public not to betray the “sanctity of the blood” shed during the revolution.
Interim Governance: Progress and Reform Indicators
| Focus Area | Key Reform or Achievement |
| Law Enforcement | Prohibited lethal force; transition to “Humanitarian Policing”. |
| Market Integrity | Dismantled syndicates; stabilized prices during Ramadan. |
| Economic Reform | Systematic removal of “Mafia” influences from state sectors. |
| Democratic Goal | Constitutional safeguards to prevent future autocracy. |
| Public Trust | Open dialogue between the administration and civil society. |
The Referendum: A “Century” Opportunity
Responding to queries regarding the Jatiya Party’s decision to advocate for a ‘No’ vote, Dr Sakhawat remained steadfast. He suggested that political parties are free to take a stance, but the ultimate verdict lies with the voters.
“If you do not cast a ‘Yes’ vote, you will miss a ‘century’—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for systemic change,” he remarked. He further explained that the interim government’s eighteen-month tenure is not about the “taste of power,” but about ensuring that no future leader can transform into a “Hercules”—a mythological reference to those who act above the law with absolute impunity.
Dismantling the Mafia State
Dr Sakhawat invited the audience to evaluate the tangible changes in their daily lives, asserting that the pervasive influence of “Mafia” networks and market syndicates has been curtailed. He highlighted that, unlike previous years, the prices of essential goods remained stable during the recent Ramadan due to rigorous monitoring and the breaking of monopolistic chains.
The assembly, chaired by Arafat Rahman, Deputy Director of Local Government (DDLG), concluded with the Adviser departing for Nilphamari at 3:30 PM. The session served as a final push for public support ahead of the national vote, framing the “Yes” ballot as the only barrier against a return to a “monstrous” past.