Policemen have begun returning to their stations following a directive issued by the police headquarters to report to their respective workplaces within 24 hours.
A large number of police personnel have already started carrying out their duty while others are on way to their stations.
However, many police stations still fail to resume operations due to extensive vandalism and arson attacks in different parts of the country, including Dhaka.
According to a statement issued by Police Headquarters, people from all strata, including professionals, political leaders, and students, are fully extending cooperation in ensuring safe return of police personnel to their workplaces.
The statement clarified, “Rumours suggesting that police members are encountering difficulties on their way back to their stations are baseless. We urge all not to be misled by such misinformation.” Visit to
different police stations in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon, this correspondent found that police personnel started to return to their workplaces.
At the Hatirjheel police station, many police members were already present. Talking with them, it was learnt that the rest of policemen would come back soon. Some who left for their hometowns would also return immediately.
During the visit, students were seen guarding Hatirjheel police station.
Arman Sabit, a BBA student at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST), told the Bangladesh Post, “We are standing guard at the police station to prevent any attacks or vandalism.”
Regarding return of police members, he added, “Around 70 per cent of police personnel have already returned to the Hatirjheel police station.”
At the Tejgaon Industrial Area police station, Ansar members were seen maintaining security. After Sheikh Hasina left the country, incidents of vandalism and arson broke out at this station. Fire engulfed the station building and vehicles, leaving visible devastation.
Ansar member Sumon Hossain, on duty at the station, told the Bangladesh Post, “Police members have started coming back, but the station's electricity and water supply has been cut off, and the premises are littered with debris. Many police members are here to assess the situation.”
A police member, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “I came to check the condition of the station, but it’s not currently in a state to resume operations.”
Police sources said many officers and forces of metropolitan, district, river, railway, and highway police stations have already joined their respective work.
In the wake of the student-led movement that forced Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to flee the country, police stations nationwide faced a series of attacks, resulting in widespread vandalism and looting and leaving many police members killed or injured.
In an effort to protect themselves, most police members, including top officials, went into hiding. Consequently, from Tuesday morning, the stations were left deserted and unguarded.
On Tuesday night, a notification was issued to replace Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who served under the Sheikh Hasina government, with Md Mainul Islam as new IGP.
The following day, after IGP Md Mainul Islam assumed office, he issued an order instructing all police personnel to return to their respective units within 24 hours.
