Most police stations in the country, including the capital Dhaka, currently have no police personnel present.
They have all taken refuge in safe locations. Many are staying with relatives for personal safety. High-ranking officials close to the recently ousted Awami League government have gone into hiding.
Unprecedented situation
Multiple police officers have reported that over four hundred police stations across the country have experienced attacks, vandalism, arson, and looting.
In this situation, no one feels safe staying in their respective stations or offices, leading everyone to seek safe shelters.
Additionally, in many places, police members trapped by public outrage have been rescued and moved to safe locations with the help of the army.
A responsible police officer reported that at least fifty police personnel have lost their lives due to public outrage since Monday afternoon.
Due to the adverse conditions, the exact number of casualties is unknown.
Fragmented information indicates that attacks and looting occurred from Monday afternoon through the night at various police stations, including those in Jatrabari, Badda, Vatara, Mohammadpur, Adabor, Mirpur, Paltan, Shah Ali, and Uttara East.
In many places, clashes broke out between the police and agitated mobs. Consequently, law enforcement officers vacated various stations overnight.
Sources have reported that many police stations have turned into ruins.
Items such as fans, chairs, tables, and other belongings have been looted from inside the stations. Weapons and ammunition have also been stolen from many stations.
A superintendent of police outside Dhaka said that it will take time for the police stations to return to their previous state due to the extensive destruction.
Moreover, the police members themselves are feeling insecure, raising the question of how they will ensure the safety of the public. No one can predict how long this situation will persist.
A police headquarters official mentioned that the police have not faced such a situation since 1971.
After the attack on the police headquarters on Monday night, senior officials were evacuated to safety by helicopter. Many climbed over walls to escape the headquarters. Miscreants also attacked Rajarbagh police lines at night.
A high-ranking police officer, wishing to remain anonymous, said that the plight of the police is due to the political subservience of a few officers. These officers forced their subordinates to oppress and torture ordinary people and opposition political leaders for personal gain. Anyone who did not comply faced dismissal or transfer to less significant positions.
He added that in law enforcement, orders from superiors are paramount. Senior officers engaging in political subservience have put ordinary police members face-to-face with the public.
Resentment over politicization
Officers at various levels have expressed their discontent over the politicization of the police, preventing them from enforcing the law independently.
Sources said that every political government in power has used the police politically. The politicization increased after the Awami League government came to power in 2008.
A police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the main perpetrator of this politicization was current Additional DIG Pralay Kumar Jowardar.
This 24th batch officer served as the protocol officer to the recently resigned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2009.
In 2012, he became Additional SP at police headquarters and also served as SP and AIG (R&M).
Due to his position as the Prime Minister's protocol officer, he wielded considerable influence within the police force.
Promotions or postings would not occur without his approval. He selectively promoted and appointed officers affiliated with the student wing of the Awami League or the party itself.
An officer from the 24th batch expressed frustration to this reporter, stating that he had been superseded for promotion eight times.
Each time, Pralay Kumar Jowardar removed his name from the promotion list.
However, in 2016, despite being number 134 on the list, Pralay managed to insert his name among the top 25 and secured a promotion.
This officer noted that Pralay had become so powerful that even his superiors would wait in his room.
Another police officer said that, in total, 10 to 15 officers were actively pursuing political agendas within law enforcement. Many others would respect and align with them to secure favorable postings. Now, everyone is paying the price for the actions of these 10-15 officers.
