A striking transformation unfolded in Dhaka over the past two days, revealing a stark contrast between chaos and recovery.
On Monday afternoon, scenes of pandemonium swept through the streets as thousands of people descended on the Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban (Parliament House) and Ganabhaban (the Prime Minister’s residence). As the crowd swelled, locals were seen carting away everything from furniture to appliances, including sofas, refrigerators, and even live animals. The streets were abuzz with people carrying away items such as computers, carpets, and decorative pieces, while others were spotted auctioning off garments and fishing in the Ganabhaban pond.
In the midst of this frenzy, residents and passersby took to social media, sharing images and videos of the looting spree. Many described the scene as a chaotic free-for-all, with even the smallest items being carried off as people scrambled to collect valuables from the looted public buildings.
By Tuesday morning, however, a dramatic shift occurred. Student volunteers, mobilised in response to the looting, began a significant cleanup operation. These volunteers worked tirelessly to recover and return looted items. Social media buzzed with images of students and military personnel organising and documenting the returned goods, which included everything from household items to important documents. Reports indicate that volunteers have managed to collect around 55 lakh rupees worth of items, which they have submitted to the army.
As the cleanup effort progressed, students and military personnel worked together to restore order, barring unauthorised access to the buildings and retrieving lost items from the streets. Their efforts also included reaching out to those who had taken items, with many individuals voluntarily returning goods and explaining their actions.
Despite the ongoing recovery work, the Sangsad Bhaban remains unguarded as of this writing, with citizens from across Bangladesh continuing to flock to the area. The combined efforts of student volunteers and the army reflect a determined push to restore the parliament building and Ganabhaban to their former states, highlighting the resilience and community spirit in the face of widespread disorder.
