DMP: Argument led to Baridhara constable shooting

Constable Kawsar Ahmed had a heated argument with Constable Monirul Islam while on duty in front of the Palestine embassy in Baridhara, Dhaka, during which the former fatally shot the latter early on Sunday, a senior Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer has said.

The DMP has not yet disclosed the nature of the argument or the reason for Constable Kawsar's agitation, and an investigation is underway to find out the details.

"We currently have no information regarding any prior dispute between the two policemen. We have spoken to Kawsar, but he has not provided any information about a dispute. We have also reviewed Kawsar's duty records for the past month or two, and they show that he was performing his duties properly," DMP Additional Commissioner (Crimes and Operations) Dr Kh Mahid Uddin told reporters on Sunday afternoon.

The DMP is still trying to confirm what they argued about before the shooting, he added.

The officer said: “I believe Constable Kawsar Ahmed is mentally disturbed. He was visibly shocked by the shooting, repeatedly saying, 'How did it happen? I do not know.' This indicates he was mentally distressed. After the incident, he was walking around with his weapon because he could not handle the stress. He realized the gravity of his actions after the fact. Perhaps in a day or two, the reason for the shooting will become clear.”

When asked if Constable Kawsar was mentally disturbed due to extra duty, Mahid Uddin responded: "No, there is no issue related to his duties. There is no extra pressure of duty anywhere at the moment. Everyone is performing their duties as usual."

He continued: "Institutionally, we do not have a counselling system. However, regular briefings include discussions on what can and cannot be done, which serves as a form of counselling."

Constable Monirul was killed and two pedestrians were wounded when another Constable Kawsar Ahmed opened fire near the Palestinian embassy in the capital's Baridhara in the early hours of Sunday.