Another 177 police stations have started operations. According to the information of the police headquarters, out of the 639 police stations of the country, the activities of 538 police stations have started till three o’clock on Saturday. Out of this, 84 out of 110 police stations in various metropolitan (metropolitan) areas and 454 out of 529 police stations at the district level have started operations.

Police sources say that apart from the General Diary (GD) and the case, no other activities of the police station have been started yet. It will take more time to fully operationalize the police station.

Earlier, till last Friday, police operations started in 361 police stations across the country. Army personnel have been deployed for the security of these police stations.

As of yesterday afternoon, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has started operations in 16 more police stations. Earlier, till Friday, 29 police stations of DMP were functioning. In all, out of 50 police stations of DMP, 45 police stations have started operations.

Several officials of the DMP headquarters told media  that preparations are being made to start the normal operations of the remaining five police stations. These police stations will be opened on Sunday (today). These five police stations are Khilkhet, Uttara Purva, Paltan, Jatrabari and Kadmatoli.

After the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina’s government in a student uprising, many police stations in the capital were attacked, vandalized and set on fire from the afternoon of August 5. Police vehicles were burnt. Weapons and various tools and documents were looted at many places.

A senior officer of the Cox’s Bazar district police told media about returning to police work at the police station, many have joined the police station after overcoming fear. Those who have joined the work have started working at the police station. However, apart from cases and GD, there is no other work for now. It will take more time to conduct operations outside.

From July 16 to August 5, police clashed with protestors in various areas of the country including the capital, and lost lives, centered on the demand for quota reforms in government jobs. Among them, on August 4, 5 and 6, various police stations and outposts of the country were attacked, vandalized and set on fire. After the departure of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, police activities were stopped across the country. The policemen did not dare to come to the police station. Ansar members were deployed to guard the facility.

The new Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. On August 7, Moinul Islam ordered all policemen to report to work within 24 hours. He urged the public to cooperate with the policemen in attending their workplaces.

However, many policemen in different districts of the country including Dhaka have not joined the work. Many policemen from inspectors to constables have raised 11-point demands, including the formation of an independent police commission, so that the police force cannot be used by any party government to implement its political agenda. They have announced that they will not join the work until their demands are met. The 11-point demands include the formation of an independent police commission, modernization of all police stations, outposts and traffic police boxes, residential arrangements for subordinate police officers to ensure security, reforming existing laws and police regulations of Bengal, and increasing casual leave with other forces. Adjustments, increased hazard pay, reduction of working hours to eight hours as per international standards, overtime for every additional hour worked.

The 11-point demand was raised in an exchange meeting held at Rajarbagh Police Lines on Friday afternoon in the presence of the IGP. But at one stage of the meeting, commotion started. At one point the IGP left without finishing his speech.

Meanwhile, the policemen who were fired for various reasons during the Awami League government formed a human chain in front of the police headquarters yesterday demanding to get their jobs back. Later, some of their representatives were called to the police headquarters from the human chain. On returning, one of them told Media that they had not met the IGP. However, a representative of the IGP spoke to them and heard the demands. It has been assured that the IGP can talk to their representatives about this today.