As Bangladesh picks up the pieces following weeks of violent protests that saw the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, its capital Dhaka is limping back to normalcy, with markets opening and public transport plying on the roads. However, there remains one notable omission — police and traffic personnel.
While the violence has largely stopped after Hasina fled to India on August 5, police personnel were nowhere to be seen on Dhaka’s roads. Instead, students are seen carrying out traffic management as volunteers.
The interim government headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus had given a 24-hour deadline for police officers to return to their duties on Friday. However, it has proved futile.
Speaking to India Today, a second-year college student, managing traffic at a busy intersection in Dhaka, said, “The Prime Minister has fled and so have the police. Now, we all students are managing the traffic. All schools and colleges are closed, and we don’t know when they will reopen.”
While students are carrying out traffic management duties, the Army and volunteer organisations are taking care of the law and order situation. Groups of Army personnel, carrying light machine guns (LMGs), have been deployed in major areas in Dhaka. The area around the airport remains closely guarded, with several Army vehicles stationed near the entrance.
Bangladesh plunged into chaos after a controversial quota system for government jobs for family members of 1971 war veterans triggered vociferous street protests and violence, leaving over 550 dead and hundreds more injured.
After the fall of the Hasina government, widespread looting and rioting has been reported as police stayed away from duty over safety concerns. At least 76 police stations in Bangladesh were set on fire last week. Several police officers were also beaten to death at a station in Sirajganj.
‘TEMPLES ATTACKED BY AWAMI LEAGUE’S STUDENT WING’
Of particular concern for India has been attacks on houses and temples of the Hindus in Bangladesh. An ISKCON temple in Meherpur, located in Bangladesh’s Khulna, was also set on fire.
Speaking on the issue, a student told India Today that it was the handiwork of the Awami League Chhatra Parishad to frame the protesters.
“The temples were attacked by Awami League Chhatra Parishad members in the guise of student protesters. It was Sheikh Hasina’s plan. In fact, students stood outside temples to protect them,” he said.
While acknowledging that temples were vandalised and Hindus were targeted, the student said they were doing their best to ensure the well-being of minorities.
“We are not 100% sure if they (Hindus) are safe. The police are yet to take over their duties. Several temples have been vandalised and masjids have also been destroyed. We have done our best to ensure the well-being of Hindus. Hindu-Muslim bhai bhai,” he said.
Charu Chandra Das, general secretary, ISKCON Bangladesh, said the situation was now improving and locals were also reaching out to Hindus.
“The Hindus are in fear. The last few days have not gone well. We are getting calls from the community from far away remote areas. However, the situation is gradually improving,” Das told India Today.
He also said that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami leaders also reached out and assured the community of all help.
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