Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has temporarily suspended Shahbagh Police Station's unarmed inspector (operations), Md Arshad Hossain, following a widely criticized incident where he was seen forcefully covering a student protester's mouth during quota reform movement near Supreme Court area.
The suspension order, signed by DMP Commissioner Mohammad Moinul Hasan, was issued on Sunday.
The incident occurred on July 31 during a 'March for Justice' organized by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Arshad was filmed aggressively covering the mouth of Nahidul Islam, a political science student of New Model Degree College in Dhaka.
The footage quickly went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism and becoming a symbol of protest against police misconduct.
In response, the DMP acknowledged that Inspector Arshad's unprofessional conduct not only harmed the image of the police force but also created a negative public perception of their operations. His actions were deemed inappropriate for a disciplined member of the police, leading to his suspension.
Nahidul explained that they were marching with a group of over a hundred people when police blocked their way near Eidgah gate of the High Court. Several protesters were detained, and police gradually moved the students towards the Matsya Bhaban area. As Nahidul continued to chant slogans, two police officers began dragging him away, with one officer covering his mouth while hurling abuses.
