Bonikbarta Exclusive

After the fall of the Awami League government, several police stations across Bangladesh faced attacks, resulting in extensive damage to their buildings and infrastructure. While all stations have resumed operations, 15 stations are currently functioning from alternate locations. Among these, the operations of Vatara Police Station in the capital are being conducted from the Gulshan Police Station building, while the Jatrabari Police Station is temporarily working from Demra.

Three police stations outside Dhaka are also operating from rented buildings. Two of these are in Gazipur and one in Sirajganj. Additionally, 12 police stations are functioning from various government facilities, including schools and community centers.

However, law enforcement activities have been significantly disrupted at both Vatara and Jatrabari, two stations under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Response times to complaints have lengthened considerably, and due to the distance, many people are reluctant to visit the police stations. The overall law enforcement activities are also facing delays.

Monir Hossain, who works in the human resources department of a private company, went to file a general diary (GD) at Vatara Police Station for a lost office document. However, upon arrival, he discovered that the station’s operations had been temporarily shifted to Gulshan, about two kilometers away. Due to traffic congestion, the trip would take at least an hour. Pressed for time, Monir left without filing the GD.

During a visit to the Vatara Police Station, charred cars were seen lined up outside the main gate. Inside, there were rows of burnt motorcycles. Several police officers and Ansar members sat on benches near the station’s most-wanted box, which contained some national ID cards and fire-damaged photographs. Although the photos were damaged, the NID cards remained intact. Signs of arson and vandalism were visible throughout the 11 rooms on the ground floor, including the detention facility’s gate. Currently, no detainees are being held there. The second and third floors also bore extensive damage from the fire. Workers are trying to repair the station to make it usable again.

Khayrul Islam, the sub-inspector in charge of Vatara Police Station’s security, told Bonik Barta, “On August 5, there was a massive attack and arson at Vatara Police Station. Since then, repair work has been underway at the damaged station, and operations have been shifted to the newly constructed building for Gulshan Police Station.”

Jatrabari turned into a battleground during the non-cooperation movement called by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The protests led to a large-scale attack and arson at Jatrabari Police Station, severely damaging the building. The station’s operations have been moved to Demra while repairs are ongoing. However, despite the short distance, victims are unwilling to seek help from Demra due to heavy traffic.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of DMP Media and Public Relations Md. Obaidur Rahman told Bonik Barta, “All DMP police stations faced some level of attack after the government fell. Vatara police station is now operating from Gulshan, while Jatrabari’s operations have shifted to Demra. Once repairs are completed, both Demra and Jatrabari stations will resume operations at their original locations as soon as possible.”

According to sources at the police headquarters, outside the two DMP stations, 13 other police stations across Bangladesh are unable to operate from their original locations. These include Chatkhil Police Station in Noakhali, Lohagara Police Station in Chattogram, Patenga and EPZ Police Stations under Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), Tajhat Police Station under Rangpur Metropolitan Police, Baniachong Police Station in Habiganj, Araihazar Police Station in Narayanganj, Bhairab Police Station in Kishoreganj, Sherpur Sadar Police Station, and Bogra Sadar Police Station. Due to widespread public outrage, these station buildings are no longer fit for use. As a result, these stations are currently operating from government buildings like schools and community centers.

The police stations of Basan in Gazipur Metropolitan Police, Joydebpur under Gazipur District Police, and Enayetpur in Sirajganj are functioning from rented buildings. Police officials have confirmed that once the repairs are complete, these stations will resume operations at their original locations.

Inamul Haque Sagor, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Headquarters, Media and Public Relations, told Bonik Barta, “In terms of security and overall convenience, it is always better to operate from our own facilities. Due to the changing circumstances, the operations of 15 police stations are now being conducted from alternative locations. This arrangement was made to ensure that services could continue as quickly as possible. Once the repair work is completed, the stations will return to their own premises in the shortest time possible.”