After Chattogram Metropolitan Police-CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz, Dhaka Metropolitan Police-DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has now issued an order to shoot saboteurs on sight.

Two Deputy Commissioners of DMP confirmed that he gave this directive in a radio message on Sunday (November 16) afternoon. In the message, he instructed all police officers to remain vigilant and adopt security precautions.

Regarding the matter, Sajjat Ali told the media, “If my police members are attacked, assaulted, or if buses are set on fire, I can legally issue this directive.”

On Monday, the International Crimes Tribunal will pronounce its verdict in the case of crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising, involving ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two other accused. Security agencies have reported that leaders and activists of the banned Awami League are planning to create chaos in the capital surrounding this verdict. Supporters of the party are spreading rumors, provocations, and calls for mobilization through various pages, groups, and fake accounts on social media.

Meanwhile, violent incidents have occurred in several districts across the country. From Friday midnight to Saturday night, Awami League held protest programs in at least four districts, including Pirojpur, Kishoreganj, and Faridpur. Arson attempts were also reported in these areas. In Pirojpur, the July Memorial was targeted; in Kishoreganj, the Zia Parishad; and in Faridpur, a branch of Grameen Bank was attempted to be set on fire.

Earlier, on Thursday, the Awami League announced a ‘Dhaka Lockdown’ program centered around the verdict announcement day. During the program, miscreants detonated cocktails in areas such as Hatirjheel, Mirpur, Agargaon, and the Airport Railway Station in the capital. The banned party has called for a ‘complete shutdown’ across the country on the verdict announcement day tomorrow, causing fear among the general public.

However, urging Dhaka residents not to panic, DMP Commissioner Sajjat Ali said, “We have established sufficient security measures. Anyone attempting sabotage will not be spared.”

Previously, on November 11, CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz had ordered terrorists to be met with brush fire from submachine guns (SMGs) on sight. In his own radio message to police station and patrol members, he stated: “No shotguns, no Chinese rifles—now keep SMGs in brush fire mode.”

The day after the CMP Commissioner’s directive, the Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expressed concern in a statement.

Notably, incidents of police firing in self-defense during the July-August movement are now under trial. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is prosecuting former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun for crimes against humanity over these allegations.