Arson attacks on police stations: CMP incurs Tk21.9 crore in losses

The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has incurred Tk21.9 crore in losses after eight police stations were damaged in arson attacks.

Following the fall of the Sheikha Hasina-led Awami League government, the attacks on eight police stations took place on 5 August. 

Besides, there were incidents of vandalism, looting as well as vehicles set on fire. 

The eight police stations that were set on fire include Kotwali, Sadarghat, Double mooring, Pahartali, EPZ, Patenga, Akbar Shah, and Halishahar.

The infrastructure of six stations was partially damaged, while two stations, Patenga and EPZ, were irreparably damaged. Besides, several police boxes in the city were also vandalised and set on fire during the quote reform movement and on the day of the government ouster. 

A total of 74 vehicles in and around the police stations, including 28 motorcycles, were severely damaged in the fire, according to Kazi Md Tarek Aziz, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations) of the CMP.

He told The Business Standard, "The loss of infrastructure has been estimated at Tk6.38 crore. This amount is estimated to repair the damaged infrastructure of the stations. The damage to furniture has been estimated at Tk94 lakh, while the damage to machinery has been estimated at Tk 54 lakh."

He added, "A total of 74 vehicles, including police vans, pickups, prison vans, and motorcycles, were damaged in the fire, and the estimated cost of damage is Tk14 crore."

"The loss of information technology equipment, including computers, printers, and routers, has not yet been estimated," he noted.

Regarding the number of firearms and ammunition looted, Tarek Aziz said, "As all the arms registers have been burnt to ashes, it has been very difficult to determine the number of arms and ammunition looted from the stations. We are collecting data from all the members of the affected police stations. It may take a few more days."

Tarek Aziz also mentioned that the estimated damage to infrastructure might increase as experts from the Public Works Department were conducting a separate assessment. 

"We have essentially estimated the minimum cost to repair the buildings of the damaged stations," he said.