After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, efforts are underway to restore the law and order situation which worsened in the country during the quota reform movement.
A total of 361 police stations restarted operations across the country on Friday. Seventy out of 110 metropolitan police stations and 291 out of 529 range police stations have resumed operations, said a press release issued by the Police Headquarters.
Troops have already been deployed at 417 police stations across the country, including 29 in capital Dhaka, which will speed up operations to recover missing weapons, according to a press release issued by ISPR on Friday.
The police stations that were not attacked or only suffered minor damage have restarted operations. Though police officers have returned to the stations that were vandalised or set on fire, the facilities still remain inadequate for proper functioning.
In some areas, local residents are cleaning the damaged police stations to make them operational again. Despite these efforts, fear still grips the officers who have joined work.
Just a day earlier, police stations across the capital were locked, with all services suspended. Services resumed at 29 police stations under DMP thanks to support from army men. However, operations have yet to resume at 21 other stations that were damaged in attacks.
On Friday, activities have resumed at several key stations in the capital, including Ramna, Kalabagan, Dhanmondi, Hazaribagh, Kotwali, Chawkbazar, Sutrapur, Demra, Gandaria, Motijheel, Sabujbagh, Shahjahanpur, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Hatirjheel, Shah Ali, Kafrul, Bhasantek, Darussalam, Rupnagar, Cantonment, Banani, Uttara West, Uttar Khan, and Airport.
Soon after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, many police stations in the capital were attacked, vandalized, and set on fire on Monday evening. Police vehicles were torched, weapons and other equipment were looted, and documents were stolen from several locations.
Army and police officials held a press conference at Tejgaon Police Station marking the resumption of police activities. Major Sakhawat Hossain, Commander of the 25th East Bengal Regiment Company, highlighted the challenges faced on August 5, when miscreants mingled with ordinary people, leading to chaos and the deaths of police officers and civilians. He emphasized the importance of protecting police stations and allowing officers to reorganize.
HM Azimul Haque, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Tejgaon Zone, appreciated the army's role in protecting lives and property. He urged citizens to visit police stations for services, reassuring them that the police are ready to serve.
Mohammad Mohsin, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Tejgaon Police Station, reiterated that they are public servants, and ready to assist the community. He noted that as no incidents of attacks had occurred at their station, the activities had resumed, albeit with a limited number of officers.
At Tejgaon Police Station, it was observed that many officers were in plain clothes, and only a quarter of the staffers had joined work. Those present were still apprehensive, and some were trying to conceal their identities while traveling to and from the station.
During visit to Hatirjheel Police Station on Friday evening, it was observed that army personnel were guarding the premises. Sub-Inspector (SI) Jahangir Alam reported that by 5:00 PM, one General Diary (GD) had been filed, and one person had been arrested for attacking a house.
Badda Police Station, which was attacked, vandalized, and set on fire on August 5, remains largely non-operational. Some police personnel have returned under military protection.
Similarly, Vatara and Tejgaon Industrial Area police stations, which were burned down by miscreants, have yet to resume operations, with army personnel guarding the charred remains.
At Rampura Police Station, army personnel were seen guarding the premises, with a few police officers having returned to duty. An inventory of weapons is being conducted, and the damage to police vehicles is being assessed.
Khilgaon Police Station has seen local residents assisting with cleanup efforts after significant damage during recent protests. The police are evaluating the extent of the damage.
Mazharul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gulshan Police Station, confirmed that normal operations resumed today, as the station was not attacked.
At Shahbagh Police Station, officers were observed at work, with many in plain clothes. Sub-Inspector Mainul Islam reported that operations had resumed on Thursday, with full services beginning Friday.
Aminul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of New Market Police Station, stated that operations resumed at 8:00 AM on Friday, with three General Diaries (GDs) filed by 1:00 PM.
Four days after arson and looting at Joypurhat Sadar Police Station, partial operations resumed on Friday afternoon. The resumption was marked by the presence of the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Superintendent of Police (SP), and the district’s army officer-in-charge, with a victim filing a General Diary (GD).
aleheen Tanvir Gazi, DC of Joypurhat, noted that the new interim government has taken over, and efforts are being made to restore public confidence and return to normalcy as quickly as possible. The army is also working towards this goal, visiting various upazilas.
Lt Col Md Zebaer, in charge of Joypurhat district, assured that the army is addressing incidents of unrest as swiftly as possible.
Reports from various districts indicate that police stations that had been closed have resumed operations as of Friday. The police administration is also working to restart activities at stations damaged by the attacks.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the Bangladesh Navy is assisting in ensuring the security and normal operations of coastal police stations, including Bhola Sadar, Daulatkhan, Borhanuddin, Lalmohan, Tajumuddin, Monpura, Charfashion, Dakshin Aicha, Dularhat, Shashibhushan, Barguna Sadar, Bamna, Betagi, Amtali, Taltali, Patharghata, Mongla, Rangabali, Khulna Sadar, Khalishpur, Harintana, Labonchara, Koyra, Digholia, Dakop, Sandwip, Hatia, Maheshkhali, and Kutubdia.
According to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters, regular operations have resumed at 11 police stations along the Rangpur border and 10 police stations along the Khulna border, all under the overall supervision of BGB in the Rangpur and Jashore regions.
