News Desk :
Work has begun to restore police service after a breakdown following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government by a mass movement.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police Tejgaon Police Station resumed activities at 11am on Friday. Army and Ansar personnel were providing additional security at the police station, reports bdnews24.com
Before resuming police station operations, the army held a meeting with locals with the help of local police personnel. The general public has assured their cooperation regarding the start of police station operations, said Capt Shakhawat Khandkar of the army’s 25 East Bengal
Regiment Company. “We do not know the locals,” he said. “With the help of police, we have spoken to the socially acceptable and respected people. They have assured us of their help. We have started working with police to ensure the security of the Tejgaon Thana area.”
Mohammad Mohsin, chief of Tejgaon Police Station, said: “First, we should remember that many of those I worked alongside in the past are no longer with us. Now my heart is heavy. I have been with police for 23 years today. Even a few days ago, we were working together at my police station. But now they are gone.”
“Actually, the whole police family is really traumatised.
“We work to meet the needs of the people. But, at many times, we cannot explain our failures to the people. But today we come back out of the needs of the people. Things happen when police are not there. It is because of that need that we need to return.”
OC Mohsin said, “I will urge people to put their faith in us. We are trying. We will not deny that today’s situation is due to our mistakes and failures. My colleagues and I will try to continue services so that we can overcome these in the future so our force can truly work for the people.”
Azimul Haque, DMP deputy commissioner of police in the Tejgaon Division, said: “Army personnel have come forward to save our policemen. They have played an important role in saving lives and property. We are grateful to them.”
“Today we have started all police activities with the help of military forces. I request any and all citizens to come to the police station. We are ready to serve you.”
Although operations have resumed, few personnel have come to the police station. Many are still not here. Those who are present are frightened. They came to work while hiding their identities.=
Deputy Commissioner Azimul said, “Out of the six police stations in Tejgaon Division, three are fully operational. The affected police stations are working on a small scale. Meanwhile, many policemen have already joined the police stations. The rest have also started coming.”
There have been attacks on police and police stations across the country since Awami League President Sheikh Hasina resigned her premiership and fled the country in the face of a mass student movement. Police stations were attacked indiscriminately and many police stations were vandalised and looted.
While many policemen were injured in these attacks, others fled to safety. Police officials said that this has created an unprecedented situation that has severely limited police service.