Although Adabor police station in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, has resumed operations following renovation, shortages in transportation, manpower and other equipment persist.
Following the fall of the Awami League regime on August 5, attacks occurred on police stations in various parts of the country. Adabor police station was no exception.
Along with attacks, vandalism and arson, vehicles, weapons, ammunition and various equipment were looted. Three floors of the six-storey police station building were burned to ashes.
Police officers still bear the psychological trauma from the attack.
The station resumed operations about a week later, on August 12. Most officers, including the officer-in-charge (OC), have been replaced with new personnel.
Sources in the police said past incidents involving the political use of police had caused public resentment against the force.
Consequently, after the change in administration, efforts were underway to reform the police, they said, adding that the aim now was to foster friendly relations between the law enforcement agency and the public.
A recent visit to Adabor police station revealed that it has 106 police personnel, including 23 sub-inspectors and 27 assistant SIs.
The station still faces a shortage of vehicles and other equipment. Police patrols and other activities are being carried out with three borrowed vehicles from other stations, one of which is currently out of service.
From the day the station resumed operations through September 25, 27 cases were filed related to attacks on students and the public, extortion, violence, and drug-related offences.
During this period, 792 general diaries were lodged, involving family disputes, social complaints, threats and reports of lost items.
Conversations with some police officers suggest that public hostility towards the police has decreased significantly, though some still behave rudely towards them, making derogatory remarks. Despite this, the police are trying to build good relations with the public.
Meanwhile, locals claimed that police patrols had decreased compared to before, leading to a rise in theft, robbery and extortion.
Yasin Howlader, a student at Dhaka Udyan Government College and a resident of Mohammadpur, said a local gang had been harassing him for extortion at his small business since the fall of the government.
Many other business owners in the area have also accused local groups of extortion.
Business owners said criminal activities had increased in the Beribadh area, taking advantage of the police's weakened state.
Police officers said that multiple officers were now required to handle arrests and respond to attacks or other incidents, prioritizing their own safety before ensuring the public’s.
"We are still facing shortages in many areas, from computers to basic equipment. Nonetheless, we are trying to provide the best service possible. More people are coming in to file GDs, and most of the time, we are writing them ourselves. We are working to improve relations with the public and are engaging in dialogues with people from various walks of life," said SI Sadek Mia.
Another SI, on condition of anonymity, said officers were still dealing with fear and apprehension.
“On August 5, a large number of weapons and ammunition were looted from the station, most of which have not been recovered. There is always the fear of further attacks on police. Besides, drug dealing, theft and robbery have increased. We are trying to bring crime under control, but we are still facing many shortages."
Officer-in-Charge Mahfuz Imtiaz Bhuiyan said due to a shortage of vehicles, patrols were not yet fully back to normal, but the morale of the police officers had improved significantly.
The OC added that Adabor police were responding promptly to any issues in the area.
There was still a shortage of logistical support and equipment, but they are gradually receiving supplies from the Police Headquarters, Bhuiyan said.
"The police are the friends of the public. This is not just rhetoric; we are genuinely trying to be their friends. We are discussing various strategies to establish good relations with the public and trying to address the public’s anger towards the police."
What happened that day
After news broke of the Awami League’s fall and Sheikh Hasina's departure for India, countless people took to the streets. The enraged public attacked various police boxes and stations.
At about 1:30pm, over 150 police officers took shelter inside Adabor police station, closing the gates. A couple of hours later, local protesters broke through the collapsible gate and invaded the station, injuring the erstwhile OC.
Firing several rounds of bullets, police officers managed to flee towards Shyamoli, where they faced further attacks from an enraged crowd.
There, the police again fired several rounds of bullets. Several officers, including the OC, were seriously injured during the skirmish.
"A team comprising some 20 members of the Special Security Force (SSF) arrived at the station to rescue us. Along with around 150 police officers, we headed towards Shyamoli, where we were again brutally attacked by an enraged mob,” a police officer present during the incident told this correspondent on condition of anonymity.
“They beat us with sticks, threw stones, and even kicked and punched us. Hearing that there were army personnel near Shishu Mela, we made our way there, only to face further attacks. From Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, we headed towards Mirpur Police Lines.
“We were subjected to attacks along the entire route. Of about 150 officers who left the station, only around 60 reached Mirpur Police Lines. The rest took shelter elsewhere… some even died along the way."
The officer said they had all thought they were going to die. “We were praying to Allah for our lives. Our hands and feet had gone numb, and we could not find refuge anywhere. Every one of us was attacked. My head was bleeding, and others were bleeding from their limbs and various parts of their bodies."
Witness Afzal Hossain, a human hauler driver, said that in the afternoon that day, the stairs of the police station were red with blood after the police fired at the crowd.
“As they left the station, the police shot and killed four people. They then went to Shyamoli, where they shot and killed several more. The more the police shot, the angrier the crowd became. The police officers who fired at people back then are no longer seen at the station," he added.
Looting and damage
After attacking the police station, the enraged mob forced the police officers to flee.
Afterwards, the mob set fire to most of the rooms in the building, including the records room, duty officer's room, OC's room and living quarters.
Extensive looting occurred, and everything was stolen from the armoury and storeroom.
Vehicles seized in various cases, including motorcycles, cars, microbuses, trucks and CNG-run autorickshaws, as well as 12 police vehicles, were set on fire and looted.
Handcuffs, vests, walkie-talkies, computers, printers, CCTV cameras, air conditioners, and doors and windows – worth around Tk4 crore – were also looted, according to sources at the station.