The Bangladesh Police Service Association has issued a formal statement expressing deep concern over what it describes as a coordinated campaign of disinformation aimed at destabilizing the nation’s law enforcement apparatus. In a communique released on Sunday, August 9, the association alleged that “hidden collaborators of fascist forces,” operating both within and outside the ranks of the police, are actively disseminating false and motivated information. According to the organization, this campaign is being fueled by individuals providing misleading narratives to online activists and self-proclaimed journalists, who then circulate the unverified claims across various social media platforms.
The statement, signed by Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Shamima Parveen in her capacity as the association’s General Secretary, highlights a precarious timeline for the force. The organization noted that the morale of police officers had been steadily recovering in the wake of the events of August 5, 2024. However, they argue that this fragile progress is now being deliberately undermined by “fugitive, isolated fascist forces and certain vested quarters.” By leveraging the reach of digital media, these elements are reportedly crafting fabricated stories that lack context or factual accuracy, effectively weaponizing information to influence public perception.
As the propaganda campaign intensifies, the association has observed a troubling evolution in its targets. What began as isolated attacks against specific individuals has gradually metastasized into a broader effort to slander senior police officials and the leadership of the force itself. The association contends that this systematic character assassination is severely damaging the morale of officers who are currently attempting to return to their duties. They warn that such actions are not merely personal attacks but are actively hindering the operational effectiveness and professional enthusiasm required by a disciplined force to function during a critical period of national transition.
Maintaining institutional integrity and high morale is, according to the association, paramount for the restoration of law and order in the post-uprising landscape. The organization emphasized that the police force’s capacity to ensure public safety and protect property is directly linked to the public’s trust and the internal stability of the department. General Secretary Shamima Parveen warned that the ongoing attempts to weaken the police through rumors and slander will have deleterious consequences that extend far beyond the force itself, potentially threatening the stability of the state and the realization of a democratic Bangladesh.
The Police Service Association further clarified its stance on the boundaries of public discourse, explicitly stating that these activities should not be conflated with the principles of responsible journalism or legitimate freedom of expression. By prioritizing personal, group, or political gains over the national interest, the organization argues that the individuals involved are violating professional ethics and the fundamental rules governing state discipline. The association firmly condemned the ongoing propaganda, labeling it a systematic effort to discredit the police that is inherently contrary to the interests of the nation and the maintenance of internal order.
Concluding their statement, the association has called for an immediate and rigorous response to these challenges. They have urged the relevant authorities to prioritize the identification of those involved in the dissemination of disinformation and the orchestration of these smear campaigns. Demanding accountability, the organization has called for strict and exemplary legal and disciplinary actions against the perpetrators. By holding these actors responsible under existing laws and internal regulations, the association hopes to protect the integrity of the police force and ensure that it can continue to serve the public without being compromised by malicious external and internal influence.