Bangladesh Government Reinstates Controversial Ex-DMP DC Kohinur Mia After 16 Years

Former Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the West Zone of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Md. Kohinur Mia, who had been dismissed after being accused of numerous controversial activities including severe torture and repression against opposition party leaders and activists during the rule of the BNP–Jamaat alliance government, has been reinstated by the government after the cancellation of his dismissal order.

Under the President’s reconsideration, on March 9 (Monday), the dismissal order issued about 16 and a half years ago was canceled and he has been granted all benefits of government service.

As a result of this order, the police officer involved in these controversial activities has regained his job in the police force. The notification states that the order canceling the dismissal will take effect immediately.

According to the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the period of suspension of this police officer from the 12th BCS batch will be counted as “service period”, and he will be given all due arrears of salary, allowances, and other benefits.

In the ministry’s notification issued that day, it was stated that President has approved Kohinur Mia’s appeal for reconsideration of the “major penalty” of dismissal.

The notification further stated, “His appeal for reconsideration of the major penalty has been approved by the Honorable President, and the imposed major penalty of ‘dismissal from service’ has been canceled.”

It is noteworthy that DC Kohinur Mia was dismissed on October 4, 2009 during the tenure of the Awami League government.

On the night of July 23, 2002, police broke the gate and attacked female students who were protesting at Shamsunnahar Hall of the University of Dhaka. This police officer was widely discussed in connection with that attack.

He was heavily criticized for carrying out severe torture and repression against senior leaders and activists of the opposition, including the Awami League.

Additionally, on March 12, 2006, a woman was subjected to police brutality in front of Rapa Plaza in Dhanmondi. During the then-opposition Awami League’s program to besiege the Election Commission, a woman named Shahina Sultana Shanta was returning home after picking up her son from school. Two days after the incident, she filed a case at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Dhaka accusing the then Deputy Commissioner (South) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Mazharul Haque, Deputy Commissioner (West) Kohinur Mia, and Constable Ruhul Amin of torture.