SM Mizanur Rahman is a retired police officer and former director general of the Rapid Action Battalion.[1] He is a former commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.[2]
Career
Rahman was appointed Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police three hours prior to the 2004 Dhaka grenade attack as the commissioner Ashraful Huda went abroad that day.[3] In August 2012, he provided deposition at the trial of the attack.[3][2] He stated State Minister of Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar ordered the Bangladesh Army to destroy two grenades which had not exploded despite Rahman's protest that the grenades were vital evidence.[3] The attack targeted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and he speculated that Babar was involved in the attack.[3] He also blamed deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police east Obaidur Rahman for poor security at the rally.[3] Barbar ordered him to handle the matter and deal with protestors.[3] Barbar also ordered him to not file cases or take action against officers he believed had neglected their duty in failing to provide security to the rally of Awami League.[3]
In 2005, Rahman closed Rafiqul Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Motijheel Thana, for being involved in the murder of a student of Mirpur Commerce College.[4][5] He prevented International Khatme Nabuwat Movement, Bangladesh from defacing a mosque of the Ahmadiyy Community in December.[6] He opened six new police stations under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.[7] He was criticized along with other law enforcement officials for failing to track or stop the activities of Harkatul Jihad al Islami-Bangladesh.[8] He blamed it on lack of intel from the intelligence agencies.[8]
In 2006, activists of the Jubo Mohila League accused police officers of using excessive force to break up their protests outside the prime minister's office.[9] They filed a complaint with a magistrate against the officers including Rahman.[9] During his tenure police officers beat up Asif Hossain Khan and others at the Bangladesh Shooting Sport Federation Complex in Gulshan following a scuffle between the chauffeur of Deputy Inspector General of Special Branch, Dr Sadiqur Rahman, and a guard of the complex.[10] He closed the Officer-in-Charge of Kamrangichar Police Station after he offered a bribe to a reporter of Channel 1.[11]
Rahman served as the commissioner of commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police till October 2006.[12] Rahman was the chief of the Criminal Investigation Department for two days on 31 October 2006, before he was posted to Rapid Action Battalion on 2 November.[12][13] The DIG of Rajshahi Range Naim Ahmed replaced him as commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.[13] In February 2007, Baharul Alam replaced Rahman as director general of Rapid Action Battalion.[12]
Rahman went on leave preparatory to retirement in 2012.[3]
References