Police operations are yet to be fully normalised despite the members of the police have joined the work after the assumption of the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus.
Sources say that the police are performing duties inside the police stations and barracks on security ground as they are yet to overcome the fear of attack on them.
“The regular operations like patrolling, investigations and other activities outside the police stations are yet to be started as police personnel are still in fear of attack,” said a senior police officer wishing not to be named.
Hatirjheel Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Shah Md Awlad Hossain told the Bangladesh Post, “Police personnel are unwilling to go outside. We are trying to motivate our members.”
He also said, “The Home Affairs advisor has given time until Thursday to return to work. We hope normalcy will be restored within the stipulated time.”
Soon after the fall of Awami League government amid a mass upsurge, police personnel were on work abstention as some police personnel were lynched during the quota reform movement.
Inspector general of police Mainul Islam on Sunday said that 42 police personnel, including three inspectors and two members of the Rapid Action Battalion, were killed in violence so far.
Police personnel say that as they still feel insecure, operational activities outside the stations haven’t started.
Although all police officers have returned to their stations, it will take some more time for resuming operations in full swing.
According to the Police Headquarters, 634 of the 639 police stations across the country have resumed their activities.
The remaining five police stations have not yet resumed operations as those stations were completely destroyed.
The five stations are expected to resume operations within the next two to three days.
It was learnt that very few stations were accepting general diaries and complaints. Rampura Police Station Inspector (investigation) Partho Pratim told the Bangladesh Post that they have resumed all activities at their station.
When asked about patrolling on the street, he said, “Out regular patrolling has yet not started. We will soon start our regular operations outside the station to ensure public safety.”
Upon visiting several police stations, it was observed that most general diaries were being filed for lost items or family-related issues.
Many police personnel have not yet returned to work, resulting in the delay of resuming operations outside the stations.
A police member said, “I am traumatised. Nothing is clear yet. I never expect that such a day would come. The other members also feel the same way. We have returned to the station, but how do I explain the emotional wounds and mental state I am in?”
Home affairs adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain told reporters recently that the morale of the police had been shattered due to some unfortunate incidents during the quota reform movement.
“Please, find out who have used the police in this way. I will try to catch the masterminds. We also need to investigate who have used the police with bad intention.”
Meanwhile, the Police headquarters (PHQ) on Tuesday said the National Emergency Service 999 has fully been restored.
Inspector Md Anwar Sattar of 999 said, “Since the government’s fall on August 5, various police units have been largely immobilised. Some police officers went on strike demanding personal safety and police reforms.”
He added, “999 is a national emergency service that ensures services not only from the police but also from other emergency units. Since August 5, 999’s operations had been limited, but now the service has been fully restored.”
Traffic police across the country have resumed full operations after a period of inactivity due to the quota reform movement. Police Headquarters informed this on Tuesday.
Some police stations, traffic police boxes and police outposts in the capital and other parts of the country were vandalised and set on fire during the movement.
Many policemen were injured while many left the police stations to escape the widespread violence.
