Chaos and unrest have gripped Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on Monday. With police officers absent from their duties to maintain law and order, students have stepped up as volunteers to manage traffic in Dhaka for the second consecutive day. According to local media reports, the situation has been dire, with reports of attacks on police stations and facilities across the country resulting in numerous police casualties.
In response to the crisis, Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) A K M Shahidur Rahman, who was appointed as the focal person of the Bangladesh Police, has called on every member of the police force to gradually resume their duties and ensure public safety and law and order. Rahman emphasized the importance of the police force in maintaining security and urged officers to ignore rumors and return to their duties in a phased manner.
The reshuffling of top positions within law enforcement agencies, such as the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), has taken place to address the escalating situation. A K M Shahidur Rahman has been appointed as the Director General of RAB, while Md Mainul Hasan will replace Habibur Rahman as the commissioner of DMP. These changes come in the wake of President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointing Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus as the head of an interim government.
Amidst the unrest, businesses in Bangladesh have demanded the immediate restoration of law and order to ensure the safety of their production units. Incidents of arson attacks on factories have caused fear and uncertainty among business owners, particularly in the garment industry. The International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICC-B) has highlighted the challenges faced by businesses in operating under the current circumstances.
The turmoil has also affected the banking sector, with six top officials of Bangladesh Bank, including Deputy Governor Kazi Sayedur Rahman, resigning as unrest erupted at the bank. Reports of internal strife and accusations of aiding bank looters have further exacerbated the situation within the financial institution.
Tragically, the violence in Bangladesh has resulted in the deaths of at least 29 supporters of Hasina’s Awami League party, bringing the overall death toll to 469 since the protests began in July. Additionally, reports of violence against minorities have surfaced, including the vandalism and destruction of popular folk band Joler Gaan’s frontman Rahul Ananda’s residence. The mob reportedly ransacked the house, taking valuables and setting it ablaze, including over 3,000 musical instruments belonging to Ananda.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of political upheaval and social unrest, the need for restoring law and order has become paramount. The events unfolding in Bangladesh serve as a stark reminder of the importance of stability and security in ensuring the well-being of its citizens and the functioning of its institutions.