Like many other police stations across Bangladesh, Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Rampura station did not escape violence during recent protests.
On the afternoon of July 19, an angry mob launched an attack and set fire to vehicles parked in front of the station. The officers had to evacuate, leaving the station empty.
After the formation of an interim government, operations at the station resumed, with the Rampura police trying to recover despite various limitations.
Unlike most DMP stations, Rampura police station is housed in a limited space within a semi-pucca tin-roofed building.
A visit to the location revealed that due to a lack of parking space, vehicles were stationed on the street. The officers on duty were busy inside the small building.
Regarding the attack and arson, several officers said that in the afternoon that day, a group of enraged individuals set fire to the police outpost in Banasree Block C, forcing the in-charge and other officers to retreat to the main station with their vehicles and weapons.
The mob then vandalized and set fire to patrol cars and vehicles seized in various cases.
However, the main station building remained undamaged.
Some officers, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that fear still lingered among them, and they had not fully recovered mentally.
Some said they were anxious about potential transfers, with one sub-inspector (SI) mentioning that a transfer order could come at any time, causing additional stress.
The former in-charge of Rampura police outpost, SI Nadim Mahmud, could not be reached for comment as his phone was switched off. He is currently stationed at Kaptai police station in Rangamati.
Officers mentioned that although the station should have 39 SIs, it currently had only 20. Similarly, out of 33 ASIs, only 25 were present, they said, adding that only three of five patrol cars were functional.
Crimes such as theft, robbery, fights and domestic disputes have increased, and since the station resumed operations, the number of service-seekers has surged. Hundreds of people visit the station daily, overwhelming the police, who are struggling to serve the large Rampura area with limited resources.
"We have not yet fully stabilized. There are various problems," Rampura police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Ataur Rahman told this correspondent.
"It takes time to rebuild a broken system."
Ataur mentioned that the process of transferring officers was underway – some were coming, while others were leaving.
Repairs on the damaged vehicles were underway, the OC said, adding that despite the challenges, they were doing their best to provide services to the public.
“Regular patrols are continuing, and efforts are being made to boost the morale of police officers so they can deliver the expected services to the people.”
He said they were receiving better responses than before. “People are flocking to the station with their complaints, and our officers have been instructed to ensure that no one leaves dissatisfied. However, it will take more time to return to complete normalcy."
It is worth noting that during the student-public protests in July-August and after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime, over 500 police stations across the country were attacked, vandalized, looted and set ablaze, including 22 stations under DMP.
