Services have resumed in 29 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 areas, 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 1pm.
Gulshan Police Station officer-in-charge Mazharul Islam said that no attacks had taken place at their location since August 5, allowing them to resume normal activities today.
In Tejgaon, most officers on-duty were in plain clothes, as confirmed by Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Mohsin. The station had also escaped any attacks, with three GDs recorded by 1pm.
At Badda and Vatara 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 superior.
Meanwhile, Vatara station was entirely torched, and no police personnel have been seen at the site today.
Additionally, Shahbagh and New Market police stations have also resumed operations.
SI Moinul Islam from Shahbagh Police Station said that they resumed duties yesterday, with two post-mortem reports prepared since.
New Market police station began its activities around 8m on Friday, with three GDs registered by 12:45pm, according to OC Md. Aminul Islam.
SA
