The area adjacent to Jatrabari police station near the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway became a battleground during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The police and local Awami League (AL) leaders and activists clashed with local students in the area. Some of the protesting students were shot dead which resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5. An angry mob attacked Jatrabari police station following her resignation. Three buildings, including the police station, were completely damaged due to vandalism and arson.
Renovation of the police station building is currently underway. However, the activities of this station are being conducted on a limited scale from the neighboring Demra police station for the time being.
It was only a couple of months ago that the station was a hub of various activities. Today looks like a haunted place. There are signs of destruction all over the six-story building. Apart from the police station, the other two buildings also bear the same picture. Currently, workers are repairing the main building of the police station. A few days after the fall of the government, the repair work of the police station was initiated. The workers said that it may take another two to three months to complete the work.
It was learned from the workers that every room from the ground floor to the top of the police station building was damaged. Everything from the plaster of the roof to the sanitary system was destroyed. According to them, nothing is as it should have been except the basic structure of the building. In a word, the whole building is being renovated.
Locals said that as soon as the news of Sheikh Hasina's resignation spread, thousands of people surrounded the police station. Meanwhile, hundreds of rounds of ammunition were fired at the crowd from inside the police station. Hundreds of people were shot. Many of them were declared dead after being taken to hospital. At around 5 pm, a police team came out of the station with weapons and started firing at the mob. However, some policemen remained trapped inside. The mob then entered the police station. There was widespread vandalism and looting. At that time, four policemen died in the public fury. After that, the building was set on fire.
Rahat Hasan, a local resident, said that the activities of the policemen of Jatrabari police station during the student movement were brutal. Many died in their firing and many were wounded. Besides, when the AL was in power, these policemen behaved in a way that could be perceived as anti-people. Many families have suffered psychologically, financially, and socially because of the role of the police. Among them are the families of the leaders of the BNP and Jamaat. What happened at the police station on August 5 was an expression of anger from the public.
Talking to the policemen at the police station, it was known that the damage could amount to Tk40 crore, which includes valuables looted from the station. A total of 9 vehicles including 7 cars, vehicles belonging to the AC and ADC were set on fire. Besides, vehicles of other policemen that were parked outside were also targeted. Motorcycles were set ablaze alongside vehicles seized as evidence. Even the furniture of the station was not spared.
Apart from this, at least 35 vehicles of the police station were kept in front of the Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) building on the east side of the police station, which was also set on fire. In addition, police registers, case documents, and computers were burnt.
A policeman, on condition of anonymity, said that the senior officers are responsible for what happened during the student movement. But in the end, four ordinary policemen lost their lives in Jatrabari. It is difficult for everyone, he added. A distance has been created between the police and the common people, he said, adding that the force’s mental status is currently weak. They are only going to work because they have to in order to survive.
Till August 5, Jatrabari police station had 258 officers and staff. Among them, 206 were policemen and 52 were members of Ansar. Currently, there are 177 policemen stationed there and the rest have been transferred. They have been sanctioned only three cars to use for daily activities including patrolling. The duty officer of Jatrabari police station is currently working from a room stationed on the third floor of Demra police station. People are regularly coming to the station regarding various complaints. On an average, 200 to 250 complaints and general diaries are being lodged with the station everyday.
However, the people of Jatrabari area are suffering due to the absence of a station in their area. A businessman named Abdullah said: "I have a business in Kajla area. I went to Jatrabari police station to file a general diary. Later, a traffic policeman there asked me to go to Demra. Now I must go that far just to file a general diary.”
Rakib, a shopkeeper outside the station, said: “Many people come to the police station every day. I tell them to go to Demra police station when they inquire about the activities of the station.”
Jatrabari Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Mahasin Hossain said: "After I got transferred here, I did not find anything, starting from furniture, files, computers, vehicles. The damage could amount to Tk 40 crore. Earlier there were 9 vehicles. Now we have got three. We must continue our duties with these three vehicles. We hope that within two weeks the police station will be fully operational.”
He also said that their policing activities are being hampered due to the shortage of vehicles. When there is trouble somewhere, the policemen cannot reach the spot quickly due to the shortage of vehicles.
Regarding the mental state of the policemen at the police station, he said: “Many have been transferred. Others are still here. Everyone is in a trauma. We have spoken to the stakeholders in the police station area. We are taking help from the local students who are very supportive as well. It is helping us regain public trust.”