In a major shakeup of the police administration, four senior officials, including an Additional IGP (Inspector General of Police), were compulsorily retired on Sunday and the DMP (Dhaka Metropolitan Police) commissioner was replaced.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abdul Qayum has been made the new commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police in the new government's bid to come to grips with the law-and-order situation.

Anwarul Iqbal who was the DMP commissioner was put in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) while its chief, ATM Ahmedul Haq, was made officer-on-special duty (OSD).

Additional Inspector General of Police Fazlul Haq, who was the director of the Narcotics Control Department, Principal of the Sardah Police Academy Matiur Rahman, DC (protection) Habibur Rahman and S.P. Jamaluddin Al Azad who was made O.S.D. during the caretaker government was obliged to retire.

Matiur Rahman was the DMP Commissioner till the end of the past Awami League government.

Official sources said they were obliged to retire in punitive action on charges of "corruption, nepotism, misuse of power and being directly involved in politics during the last government".

More reshuffles, including such punitive retirement, are in the offing to "re-establish the chain of command" in the police and keep government pledges on law and order in the country, an official said yesterday.