The officer-in-charge (OC) of Mohanpur Police Station in Rajshahi, Mizanur Rahman, has been transferred to the post of Reserve Officer (RO) at the Rajshahi District Police Headquarters.
The transfer was made in the public interest through an order signed by Rajshahi Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Mamun Or Rashid on November 1. The memo number is 3719(26).
The news of his transfer reportedly brought a sense of relief among some local residents and several police personnel stationed at the police station. According to local sources, some police officials and members also distributed sweets following the announcement.
Local residents have accused the OC of behaving rudely with members of the public and subordinate police personnel, using abusive language and failing to take effective action against drug-related activities during his tenure.
They also said five murder incidents took place in the upazila during his nearly seven-month tenure, while concerns over the spread of drug trading continued to grow.
Mizanur Rahman joined Mohanpur Police Station on April 6. According to local residents, dissatisfaction over his conduct began soon after he took charge. Several allegations surfaced that he behaved improperly with people seeking police assistance and with officers serving under him.
Arecha, a housewife from Mougachhi Bazar area of the upazila, alleged that she was assaulted when she tried to resist vandalism at her house by rival parties.
Seeking justice and legal assistance, she later went to the police station. However, when she tried to explain the incident to the OC, he allegedly refused to listen and attempted to persuade her to accept the position of the opposing party. When she disagreed, he verbally abused her and ordered her out of his room, she alleged.
Arecha also held a press conference at the local press club on August 6, protesting the incident.
Alhaj Md Shafiqul Islam, a businessman from Kesharhat Pourashova, alleged that the OC behaved disrespectfully towards him when he went to the police station to provide information about a stolen motorcycle.
Several journalists working in the upazila also alleged that the OC often did not respond to calls made to his official phone number, even when they sought to share important information.
They further claimed that despite providing specific information about drug trading in certain areas, no effective action was taken against those allegedly involved. The issue was also raised at monthly meetings of the upazila law and order committee, they said.
In the latest incident, government college lecturer Abdul Hakim of Khayra village and another man named Mahbub alleged that they were subjected to verbal abuse at the police station around 12:30am on October 31.
They went to the station to inquire about a Bajaj 135cc motorcycle that had previously been recovered and kept there, they said.
According to them, the OC became annoyed upon seeing them, made disparaging remarks about their professions and used offensive language before asking them to leave the station.
There have also been allegations that the OC demanded Tk 200,000 per month from subordinate police personnel. Several individuals familiar with the matter claimed that disagreements and instances of misconduct followed after some officers refused to pay the money. However, the allegation could not be independently verified.
Local residents also alleged that the OC's role in maintaining law and order and controlling drug-related activities had repeatedly come under scrutiny. Journalists reportedly raised these concerns at several monthly meetings of the upazila law and order committee.
People from different walks of life, including local BNP leaders, also claimed that they did not receive the expected assistance when they approached him for personal or humanitarian support.
Contacted for comment, Additional Superintendent of Police (DSB) Sabina Yasmin of Rajshahi District Police said, "There were many complaints against the OC. As part of a routine transfer, he has been transferred to the Superintendent of Police's office."
However, although the transfer order cited public interest, it does not establish whether the allegations against him were the reason for the transfer.
Attempts to obtain a comment from Mizanur Rahman regarding the allegations were unsuccessful.
Local residents have called for an impartial investigation into the allegations, effective action against drug traders and improved behaviour towards people seeking police services at Mohanpur Police Station, saying that a transfer alone would not ensure accountability or restore public confidence.
