538 police stations resume operations nationwide

Operations have resumed at 538 out of 639 police stations across Bangladesh, accounting for approximately 84% of the total, according to the Police Headquarters.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mainul Hasan informed the media that about 60% of police personnel have returned to duty at the DMP headquarters. "The number will increase starting tomorrow (11 August). Most police stations in the metropolitan area have already resumed operations," he stated.

In the metropolitan areas, 84 out of 110 police stations are currently operational. Meanwhile, 454 out of 529 police stations in various districts resumed operations on 10 August, according to sources at the Police Headquarters.

In Gazipur, nine out of 13 police stations partially resumed operations yesterday amid ongoing security concerns. The police stations are being guarded by a combined force of army personnel and students on a rotational basis. Gazipur Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Ahbar-uz-Zaman confirmed that police officers are set to take full control of all stations under their respective Officers in Charge (OCs) by yesterday.

In Rajshahi, police operations are gradually returning to normal following recent attacks and vandalism. Eight district police stations and nine metropolitan police stations have resumed activities, though full-scale patrolling and other services may take a few more days to restore. Operations have resumed with joint police and army personnel, but a lack of vehicles has hindered patrol efforts, according to police sources.

The Rajshahi Metropolitan Police commissioner visited the headquarters on 10 August, which is currently being restored after looting and vandalism. Local students have been assisting in the cleanup, helping remove debris and recover stolen property.

In Bogura district, police operations have resumed at 12 stations following a five-day suspension. Officers have restarted internal work under the protection of Bangladesh Army personnel; however, patrols outside the stations remain suspended as of Friday afternoon. Bogura District Police Superintendent Zakir Hasan stated that all 12 police stations in the district are now operational, with army support ensuring security. The Bogura Sadar Police Station, which was completely destroyed, is currently being operated from the Detective Branch (DB) office, he added.

Police stations across the country came under attack after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled following a massive student-led movement. These attacks led to the deaths and injuries of many police officers, forcing others to retreat, which resulted in a rapid collapse of the policing system. This also prompted an ongoing strike by subordinate police members, who are demanding security and other benefits.

The new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Md Mainul Islam, had issued a deadline for striking officers to return to work by Thursday (8 August) evening. Senior police officials, including the police chief, have been holding meetings with local leaders in various districts to calm the situation and bring the striking officers back to duty.