Police Return to Streets as Strike Concludes

Daily Bijoy News Correspondent:

Bangladeshi police returned to the streets of Dhaka on Monday, concluding a weeklong strike that had left the capital of 20 million people without law enforcement after the sudden ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The police withdrew from their duties last week following Hasina's resignation and departure from the country, which marked the end of her 15-year rule. The force had been widely despised for its role in violently suppressing protests against her government, a crackdown that resulted in over 450 deaths, including 42 police officers.

The police strike was initiated as officers demanded assurances for their safety while on duty. After intense late-night negotiations with the new interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the police agreed to resume their duties.

"The police association ended its strike last night," said Enamul Haque Sagor, the national police spokesman, in a statement to AFP. "Officers have returned to work today, and you can see them managing traffic in Dhaka's streets."

'Heinous Attacks'

The protests that led to Hasina's departure were mostly peaceful until police attempted to break them up with force. In retaliation, around 450 of the country's 600 police stations were attacked, with many being set on fire or vandalized, according to the national police union.

Some police stations began reopening late last week, guarded by the army, which had largely abstained from participating in the crackdown and retained higher public esteem.

In the absence of the police, the student-led groups that had driven the protests took on the responsibility of maintaining order. They organized traffic control, neighborhood watch patrols, and protected places of worship, helping to restore calm after the initial chaos.

Yunus's interim government, referred to as the "council of advisors," expressed deep concern over attacks on minority communities, particularly Hindus. In its first official statement on Sunday night, the cabinet pledged to address these "heinous attacks" and work towards resolving such issues.

Hindus, who make up about eight percent of Bangladesh's population of 170 million, have often been targeted during times of political unrest. Since last week, hundreds have fled to the Indian border, seeking refuge.

Sheikh Hasina, 76, fled to India by helicopter a week ago as massive protests erupted in Dhaka, marking the end of her authoritarian rule, which had been marred by accusations of widespread human rights abuses, including the extrajudicial killing of thousands of her political opponents.

Daily Bijoy News/ Junayed