S A Shofiee, Sylhet :
Like the rest of the country, Sylhet’s police were also severely affected when they tried to stop the movement to bring down Sheikh Hasina’s government. Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) started working to overcome that loss and gain to bring the trust of the people.
According to SMP sources, the police have largely returned to normalcy in the last two months of efforts. Apart from the management, the crime department and the traffic department have launched their activities in full swing. The ‘system’ that has gone out of control has been fixed a lot. This information has been confirmed by talking to various departments of the police.
Kotwali Thana area was the most affected during the agitation and protests in Sylhet metropolitan area. Kotwali police station and its three outposts were completely destroyed on August 5. Apart from police stations, Bandarbazar, Lamabazar, and Sobhanighat outposts were also heavily damaged. Going to Bandar Bazar Fadi on the surface, it can be seen that the entire tin shed house was damaged in the incident of arson that day. Ammunition, weapons and goods are looted.
According to related sources, 101 firearms were looted from various police stations and outposts in Sylhet city after the fall of the government in the student movement in August. Ammunition was also looted. So far 80 have been deposited and recovered. However, the exact information of the ammunition was not available. The police have not found the whereabouts of 21 of the looted weapons. Apart from this, 246 arms licenses have been issued in the metropolitan area in the last 15 years. Among them, 10 people did not buy weapons even with a license. Apart from this, 43 weapons are used for the security of various banks. 193, the number of weapons that can be deposited in the metropolitan area. Among them, 157 have been deposited. 36 firearms were not deposited.
Akbar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Kotwali police station (on duty) told this reporter that he has recovered all the weapons that were looted or lost from his police station. Most of the weapons were recovered by RAB. Not getting some shots. There can be various reasons for not getting them. Yet they will find hope. Regarding the Bandar Bazar outpost, he said, there is no office environment there. Office environment should be created by renovating. For now, the concerned are performing their duties from home. Regarding the Lamabazar outpost, he said, there are two rooms at the back which are fairly good. The activities are being carried out for the time being. The ground floor and two floors of the Sobhanighat outpost were severely damaged. Currently, the office is running from the third floor. Last September 5 as the new commissioner in SMP. Rezaul Karim PPM is making efforts to quickly renovate the affected institutions and facilities and start the activities in full swing after taking charge.
For this purpose, he has undertaken necessary damage assessment and speedy repair of all damaged structures. Contacted the police headquarters for the required amount.
After inquiry in the traffic department, it was found that after 4 and 5 August, there was a decline in the activities of the traffic police.