"All 16 sub-inspectors (SIs), nine assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) and 53 constables -- both on duty and on leave -- have been transferred," confirmed a police high official last night.

"The order will come into effect within a few hours," he said, adding their replacements will soon take over.

Another police high official said the new staff would join the police station this morning. "The present officials will be sent to different divisions," he added.

"I heard about the order an hour ago but have not received the order as yet," OC Arman Ali told The Daily Star at 11:30 last night.

Khilgaon policemen came under fire recently after the death of Shakil Ahmed Chowdhury Sumon of Meradia in Khilgaon in police custody. Having arrested him while he was returning to his residence on the night of October 24, the then OC Entejar Rahman and Second Officer Mahbubur Rahman reportedly demanded Tk 1 lakh from Sumon's parents for his release and tortured him to death as his parents failed to pay up the money.

The DMP withdrew Entejar Rahman on October 27 and Suman's mother Nurjahan Begum filed a murder case against him and the second officer on October 28.

While locals were agitating regularly against Khilgaon police for the custodial death, SIs Shamsul Haq and Shajahan Sabuj and constables Azhar Hossain, Helal Uddin and Habib of Khilgaon Police Station, Ansar Azad Hossain and police informant Delwar allegedly mugged Tk 2 lakh from two jhut (garment by-product) businessmen of Keraniganj Friday.

Minutes after the incident, locals caught SI Shamsul Haq, constables Azhar Hossain and Helal Uddin and Ansar Azad Hossain from near the police station and recovered Tk 1.46 lakh from Shamsul Haq. The court sent the four to Dhaka Central Jail yesterday, while the rest three are absconding and Tk 54,000 is yet to be recovered.

Four OCs of the police station were transferred for their involvement in controversial activities only last year. And since 1999, nine OCs have been appointed to the police station and some of them could not continue for more than two months.

Many local businessmen allege regular harassment and extortion by police, saying they dare not file any complaint fearing further police harassment.

"Criminal activities go unhindered here as corrupt policemen maintain nexus with local criminals," said a garment factory owner of Goran, seeking anonymity.