After the fall of the government on August 5, the capital's Bangshal police station turned into a wreckage.
Everything, from chairs and tables to weapons, fans, air conditioners, glasses, and official documents, was either looted or burned.
The station operated in this state of destruction for a long time. Gradually, the Bangshal police resumed their normal activities.
Upon visiting Bangshal police station, broken chairs and tables could still be seen inside, along with shattered glass.
The seating areas for police officers have yet to be fully repaired, except for the rooms of the officer-in-charge (OC) and the operations inspector, which are now usable. The rest of the repairs are still ongoing.
What happened that day
Most of the officers who were on duty at Bangshal on August 5 have since been transferred elsewhere.
Those who remain are unwilling to give any detailed accounts of the events.
However, a police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “On August 5, the entire station was destroyed. The officers barely escaped with their lives.”
Several clashes took place between the police and agitated students and citizens, but by the night, the situation had calmed down.
However, by then, the station had already been ransacked.
Describing the attack, this officer said: “It was around 3pm. We heard news that the Jatrabari police station had been attacked, with police officers beaten and even killed. We became frightened and took precautionary positions. Shortly after, we saw a massive crowd marching in victory towards Gulistan, chanting slogans. Some said they were heading to the Prime Minister’s residence, others said to the Shaheed Minar. The situation at Bangshal remained normal until around 3:30pm. Then things went wrong. There’s nothing more to say about what happened next.”
Sayedul Islam, a witness, said: “The police were standing in front of Bangshal station, firing indiscriminately. In response, angry students and citizens from the Ray Saheb Bazar intersection threw bricks at the police. The clash, which began before the Asr prayers, continued sporadically until after the Isha prayers. Many were shot that day, some in their arms, some in their legs, others in their chest or stomach. One person died on the spot.”
When asked how the conflict started, local resident Ripon said: “I’m not sure how it began. I heard Sheikh Hasina had fled the country, so my family and I left our house and joined the victory march with thousands of people. I went to the Central Shaheed Minar with the procession. On the way back, I witnessed the incident.”
Rifat Hossain, a worker from the Dholai Khal Tong Market, said: “While many were heading to the Shaheed Minar in the victory march, some people vandalized an Awami League office next to Bangshal police station. By 4pm, there was still no attack on the station. The police were standing in front of it. Then, a group of people started throwing bricks at the police, chanting fraud, fraud. They even hit the sign that said Bangshal police station. They also threw various items, including shoes, inside the station. In response, the police started firing shots instead of throwing bricks. In no time, the area became a battlefield.”
Rifat added: “A journalist came and asked why the police were shooting at the victory procession. The police, in turn, threatened to shoot him, forcing him to leave the scene.”
Has trust been restored
Several residents of Bangshal said that they still have not regained their trust in the police.
Local resident Abdul Mottalib said: “I can’t forget what happened on August 5. The police fired indiscriminately at our brothers and neighbors. The images of that day still haunt me. It’s chilling to think about the police’s cruelty. But we hope that Bangshal police will return as the people’s police.”
Bangshal police OC Atikur Rahman said that the station is currently in good condition and that the police have returned to their regular duties, including investigations and routine work.
Speaking about the destruction, he said: “The damage was caused by overenthusiastic individuals. The damage is still visible. The repairs are not complete yet, but the budget has been approved, and the work is ongoing.”
When asked for more details about the losses, he said: “The former OC can provide that information since I wasn’t in charge then. We have informed the authorities about the extent of the damage.”
In response to a question about the gap between the police and the people, he said: “The police exist to serve the people. At one point, the police were used politically, but that’s no longer the case. Now, we are returning to our professional conduct, and we will bridge the gap with the public through our actions.”
Regarding the attacks on the station and the local residents, OC Atikur Rahman said: “That day, a few individuals, fueled by rumors and excitement, engaged in destructive activities. However, many people from the Bangshal area helped protect the police. The police are grateful to them, and in the future, we will provide the best service to the people of Bangshal.”
Speaking about the mental health of the officers, he added: “The police are a disciplined force trained to handle such situations. What happened recently is unprecedented, and we hope it will never happen again. While we were somewhat shocked, we are not traumatized. The mental health of our officers has improved, and they are doing well now.”
