Services have resumed in 29 out of 50 police stations under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Friday, after a three-day absentia. Police personnel remained absent from work following attacks on them during clashes with protesters after Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on August 5.
Despite widespread damage in some stations, operations have restarted in police stations that were either unaffected or only lightly damaged during the recent turmoil. However, 21 police stations in Dhaka are still non-operational due to the extensive destruction, with facilities unfit for use.
Among the police stations where services have resumed are Ramna, Kalabagan, Dhanmondi, Hazaribagh, Kotwali, Chawkbazar, Sutrapur, Demra, Gandaria, Motijheel, Sabujbagh, Shahjahanpur, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Hatirjheel, Shah Ali, Kafrul, Bhashantek, Darus Salam, Rupnagar, Cantonment, Banani, Uttara West, Uttar Khan, and Airport.
The unrest, which began on Monday afternoon following the government's fall, saw numerous police stations across the capital attacked, vandalized, and set on fire.
Several police vehicles were torched, and weapons, equipment, and documents were looted, leading to a near collapse of police operations in some areas.
In Gulshan, five military personnel were seen on duty outside the police station, while sub-inspector Mamun Mia was busy working inside. By noon, the station had registered one General Diary (GD).
Similarly, in Tejgaon, police officers have returned to duty, with three GDs filed by 1:00pm.
Gulshan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mazharul Islam said no attacks had taken place at their location since August 5, allowing them to resume normal activities on Friday.
At Badda and Bhatara police stations, which were severely damaged during the unrest, conditions remain dire. In Badda, military personnel are stationed outside, while a few police officers have arrived to begin work under the instruction of their superiors.
Meanwhile, Bhatara Police Station was entirely torched, and no police personnel have been seen at the site on Friday. Additionally, Shahbagh and New Market police stations have also resumed operations.
SI Moinul Islam from Shahbagh Police Station said they resumed duties yesterday, with two post-mortem reports prepared since.
New Market Police Station began its activities around 8:00am on Friday, with three GDs registered by 12:45pm, according to OC Md Aminul Islam.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police Tejgaon Police Station resumed activities at 11:00am on Friday. Army and Ansar personnel were providing additional security at the police station.
Before resuming police station operations, the army held a meeting with locals with the help of local police personnel. The general public has assured their cooperation regarding the start of police station operations, said Capt Shakhawat Khandkar of the army's 25 East Bengal Regiment Company.
Azimul Haque, DMP Deputy Commissioner of police in the Tejgaon Division, said, "Army personnel have come forward to save our policemen. They have played an important role in saving lives and property. We are grateful to them."
"Today we have started all police activities with the help of military forces. I request any and all citizens to come to the police stations. We are ready to serve you."
Although operations have resumed, few personnel have come to the police stations. Many are still not here. Those who are present are frightened. They came to work while hiding their identities.
Deputy Commissioner Azimul said, "Out of the six police stations in Tejgaon Division, three are fully operational. The affected police stations are working on a small scale. Meanwhile, many policemen have already joined the police stations. The rest have also started coming."
There have been attacks on police and police stations across the country since Awami League president Sheikh Hasina resigned her premiership and fled the country in the face of a mass student movement. Police stations were attacked indiscriminately and many police stations were vandalised and looted.
While many policemen were injured in these attacks, others fled to safety. Police officials said that this has created an unprecedented situation that has severely limited police service.
