TDS Desk:

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) on Monday arrested a constable on charges of leaking online a video that showed the CMP commissioner instructing his force to open fire on Awami League terrorists.

The constable, identified as Omi Dash, was detained by officers from Khulshi Police Station in the early hours, police officials said. He was later formally arrested in a case filed under the Official Secrets Act.

According to the complaint, Dash circulated the video on social media without authorization, prompting disciplinary and legal action.

The video, which has sparked debate, captured the CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz sending a wireless message for all his subordinates to open fire in self-defence whenever miscreants draw sharp weapons or firearms to inflict injury on personnel.

Hasib Aziz issued the message in the early hours of Tuesday. A day earlier, Awami League goons attacked a police team with sharp weapons, leaving Sub-Inspector Abu Sayeed critically injured.

At the time, the police team were conducting a raid at an Awami League hideout upon receiving information that the goons had staged a flash procession at Satgola area.

Two constables in the team reportedly held shotguns but did not use them out of fear of sparking legal scrutiny and public anger. The fear has plagued the entire police force since 5 August 2024, when the Awami League regime was overthrown in an uprising for, among other reasons, ordering law enforcers to shoot at peaceful demonstrators.

Hasib Aziz ordered his force to follow the pre-5 August 2024 directive to protect themselves.