Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Mainul Islam on Sunday said at least 42 members of the police force were killed and scores injured in clashes during the recent mass student movement.
Three of the dead are of inspector rank and two are Rab members, he said while talking to reporters at the Central Police Hospital in Dhaka.
Over 500 took treatment at the hospital, he said, adding that of them, 27 are still undergoing treatment.
"We are providing full support to the injured," the IGP said.
During the student movement that toppled Sheikh Hasina's government, more than 400 persons including students were killed, mostly by gunshots. Many videos showed police members killed unarmed protesters by shooting from close range.
According to sources, during the recent violence over 400 police stations, several hundred police outposts and traffic police boxes also came under attacks across the country. In the circumstance, policemen remained absent in their workplaces from August 5.
No personnel from the police department were seen on the field till Sunday over security concern, although most of the police stations have resumed operations across the country.
Despite the resumption of services, the absence of police in the field has caused public anxiety.
The police officials concerned indicate that police personnel feel insecure, particularly about wearing their uniforms in public.
In a positive development, uniformed traffic police will return to their posts across Dhaka from Monday, according to the Additional Commissioner (Traffic) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
The army has pledged continued support until the situation normalises.
In the absence of the police personnel, forces from the Bangladesh Army and personnel from the Ansar have been guarding the police stations across the country.
