A few police personnel have returned to duty on Thursday, but many others are waiting for security assurances before returning to their posts following the call by newly-appointed Inspector General of Police on Wednesday.
Many force members are fearful of further violent reprisals from the public after they opened fired on protesters and the general public.
The policemen are returning to their working places from Thursday responding to the call of the newly-appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mainul Islam, an official release said.
People from all walks of life, including different political parties leaders and students are extending all-out necessary supports to the returnee police personnel so they can come to their work places safely, the release of police headquarters said on Thursday morning.
It also said the news on obstruction of police returns to their working places appeared to be untrue. All have been requested not to be confused by any rumour, it added.
Meanwhile, witnesses said some police personnel in plainclothes were arriving at Rajarbagh Police Lines, signing in the attendance register, and talking to each other. However, they are not going to their respective workplaces, such as police stations, due to security concerns.
Sources said police officers loyal to the outgoing Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Habibur Rahman, are yet to join work, with many going into hiding.
Some police personnel expressed fear of further attacks. "We are in a dilemma about risking our lives to rejoin," said a constable, preferring anonymity.
"Our superiors went into hiding after Hasina fled the country. We continued to fight with the people but were not advised to move to safer places, resulting in the deaths of many innocent police personnel," said a sub-inspector.
In response to the order of the IGP to join work within 24 hours, police have spontaneously joined their work in six police stations under Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) on Thursday.
People gathered at the police stations with their complaints in the morning, said deputy commissioner of SMP BM Ahsraf Ullah Taher.. However, the court activities under SMP are going on.
Meanwhile, people from all walks of life, political leaders, activists and students were seen providing necessary assistance to the policemen so that they can work smoothly.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Mainul Islam ordered all police members, who fled their respective workplaces amid unrest and attacks, to join duty within 24 hours on Wednesday.
