Paint on the burnt wounds, official activities going on in the staff quarters
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Photo: Barta24.com
The government fell from the quota reform movement in government jobs under the banner of the anti-discrimination student movement. Although the students' movement was not taken into account at the beginning, by the time the government woke up, the farewell bell had already rung. As a result, the government became strict in suppressing the protesting students. Hasina, who was in power for 15 years, used the police force, which had become the biggest tool of the government, as she wished to suppress the movement. And that is why the police force suffered the most after the government fell in the face of intense protests. Various police establishments, including police stations, were burned in the fire of anger over the indiscriminate killing of ordinary people by firing.
The largest unit in the country, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), works to control law and order in the capital. 34,000 police members of 50 police stations of the DMP provide police services to the people of the capital. After August 5, at least 22 police stations of the DMP were damaged by attacks of angry people. Of these, nothing except the buildings of 13 police stations were saved. Mirpur is one of the 13 police stations that were burnt in the fire of anger. Nothing was saved except the charred skeleton of the building.
On August 6, when I visited Mirpur police station, I saw a white paper written in front of the police station building, saying that the building is risky, entry is prohibited. Three cars and an APC were burnt to ashes at the gate of the police station. There is nothing but ashes in every room on the ground floor of the building. The floor tiles have also burst due to the heat of the fire. The fire has been burning inside the building for more than 24 hours. The staircase leading to the second floor was extremely risky. At least 25 cars were burnt to ashes behind the police station that day.
Three months have passed since the incident, but the police have not yet been able to start operations at the police station building. A visit to Mirpur police station showed that the police station building, which was burnt in the fire set by the angry crowd on August 5, has been painted white. Every corner of the police station has been renovated. New furniture has been brought in.
When this reporter entered the police station on November 6, it was already noon. The southern sun had slightly tilted in the west. A female constable was standing at the main gate of the police station with a weapon in hand. As soon as he entered through the main gate, he met painter Nayan at the gate of the police station building. He was painting continuously.
After a brief conversation with him, it was learned that many people, including Nayan, have been working on the repair of the police station for about a month. The contractor's instructions are to complete the work of the police station within a day or two. So he is working quickly.
Nayan also said that various works including tiles, grills, glass, and ceilings have been done inside the police station building. After completing all the work, the painting work is underway.
After talking to Nayan, as soon as he entered the police station building, the fresh smell of paint hit his nose. Inside, a touch of newness was seen everywhere in the police station. Work is underway to arrange each room. New furniture has been brought in. However, no police station activities are going on inside the building.
After investigating, it was found that although the activities were initially carried out elsewhere, the official activities are currently being carried out in the staff quarters behind the police station.
Going behind the police station building, it was seen that the duty officer's room is on the ground floor of the multi-storey staff quarters built for the residence of police officers working in the police station. In front of this building, the OC and other officials sit in a one-storey building made of concrete. After installing a table and chairs in the small room of the duty officer, there is not much space left. The duty officer is listening to the problems of the two women who came to seek services there.
Talking to the two women who came to seek services, it was learned that they had lost several important papers. So they came to file a GD at the police station. Since the online server was not working, they wrote the GD by hand.
When asked about the services of the police station, they said, at first, they could not find the police station. When I went to the big building, I saw no one. When I asked, I found out that the police station was working in the building behind. Later, I came here and complained. The police station officials are sincere. Their behavior was good.
When asked about the overall activities, Mirpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Gias Uddin told Barta24.com, "As the renovation work of the police station is not completed, activities are being carried out from the police quarters. There is a shortage of manpower in the police station and the number of vehicles is also low. Earlier, there were 6 to 7 vehicles, now there are only three vehicles. Patrol and operational activities are being carried out with this." He also said, "There are still several crises, but within these limited resources, we are trying to provide the best service to the common people."
