538 police stations nationwide resume operations amid security efforts
Some police stations still remain non-operational
Operations resumed at 538 police stations out of 639 (approximately 84%) across the country on Saturday (10 August), according to the Police Headquarters.
Mainul Hasan, Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told The Business Standard that around 60% of police personnel returned to duty at the DMP headquarters.
"The number will increase from tomorrow (11 August). Most police stations in the metropolitan area have already resumed operations," he added.
According to sources at the Police Headquarters, 84 out of 110 police stations in metropolitan areas and 454 of 529 district police stations resumed operations yesterday (10 August).
Earlier on Thursday (8 August) evening, the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Mainul Islam had issued a deadline for the striking officers to return to work.
In Chattogram, after a three-day closure due to attacks on various establishments, police stations began reopening and resuming limited operations on Saturday (10 August). Out of the city's 16 police stations, 11 restarted their functions under strict security measures with the assistance of the Army.
In Satkhira, six out of eight police stations resumed operations on the same day, with support from the Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Lt. Colonel Ashraf, Commander of Satkhira 33 BGB, held a meeting with political leaders and student coordinators at the Kalaroa Police Station auditorium, seeking their cooperation to ensure the safety of the stations.
In Lakshmipur, Kamla Police Station resumed work on Saturday afternoon. Saifuddin Anwar, the OC, assured that the police would operate as friends and servants to the community rather than as adversaries.
In Barisal, police activities resumed on a limited scale with the help of army personnel. Four police stations within the metropolitan area and 14 district police stations began operations. Barisal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Jihadul Kabir said the four city stations had remained operational throughout the recent disruptions and were expected to fully resume their duties shortly.
In Chapainawabganj, activities at Bholahat Police Station commenced under the protection of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), given its proximity to the border, just 150 yards away.
In Comilla, policing activities resumed across various stations after being closed for several days, with Army personnel deployed to ensure their security.
However, some police stations remain non-operational. At Bagha Police Station in Rajshahi, police personnel were reportedly absent, with Army and Ansar members overseeing the area. Similarly, Rajbari Police Station remained closed as of 9 August, with its main gate locked and no police officers present.