Staff Reporter :
As Bangladesh celebrated the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the capital city was also marred by reports of looting and vandalism. Amidst the jubilation, scattered incidents of looting occurred at significant locations, including the National Parliament, Ganabhaban, and the residence of the Chief Justice.
Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina, demonstrators broke into Ganabhaban, the official residence of the Prime Minister. Once inside, many began to ransack the premises, taking whatever valuables they could find. Similar scenes unfolded at the residence of the Chief Justice, where hundreds of people were seen seizing items from the property.
At Ganabhaban, the situation was chaotic as individuals entered through broken gates or scaled walls to access the
compound. Among the items being looted were furniture, kitchenware, mats, refrigerators, fans, freezers, plates, cups, lights, books, and even livestock such as goats, chickens, and rabbits. Some took away frozen foods, clothes, sarees, and various other belongings, including plants, portraits, and sofa sets.
The looted goods were transported in a variety of ways: some people carried items on their heads, while others used rickshaws, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Reactions to the looting were mixed; while some individuals expressed satisfaction at acquiring these items, others voiced concerns about the destruction of state property and the ethics of such actions.
As the city continued to grapple with the aftermath of the political upheaval, there were calls from various quarters for a restoration of order and respect for public property. The looting has added a layer of complexity to the already turbulent situation, overshadowing the celebratory mood with concerns about the state of law and order in the country.
While a group was busy looting, others were eating food inside the kitchens and some other were lying down on the bed. Such scenario was also witnessed in Sri Lanka when their people attacked the presidential house. But those who were grabbing the items said that they were taking them because the Awami League government has looted them for 15 years. By looting the products, they said they are expressing their anger, and protest against the toppled government. The same scenario was found inside the residence of the Chief Justice where many people were looting the valuables of the house. There was no law enforces or resistance to stop such looting.
People also entered into the Parliament and looted the valuables there without caring that it is the state properly and it should not be spoiled at any cost.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina has fled the country amid the mass upsurge after ending her 15-year of iron-fisted rule.