IN an unabashed misrepresentation of facts the Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) took pains to explain that ruling party cadres marching through the streets on December 29 were carrying national flags and not sticks. Indeed, given the emphasis put on what was passed off as an innocuous technicality, despite the presence of live footage to the contrary, the commissioner preferred to prevaricate. We are baffled to see such a high official of the city police going out of his way to pull wool over the public eye. There was little doubt in any mind that the city was in the grip of the police and ruling party loyalists on that day, and that the latter were on the rampage. In fact, the manner he spoke on a number of issues raised more questions than answered. Could one be woefully wrong to ask whether he is an official of the Republic, using his remit even-handedly, or a party spokesman?

The commissioner must surely be aware of the fact that his position in the capital's police force obliges him to be impeccable in his public statements. We cannot emphasise enough the need to keep the image of the police force above reproach, especially in testing circumstances.