The law and order situation in Dhaka and other districts showed significant improvement on Tuesday, the fourth day of a nationwide curfew imposed by the government in the early hours of Saturday.
Following the relentless efforts of the security forces, unidentified miscreants who had been wreaking havoc in various parts of the city over the past few days using the quota reform movement as cover since Thursday afternoon, have left the streets.
Residents of Dhaka finally experienced a day free from disturbances, chaos, destruction, or reports of fires.
Since the army's deployment in the early hours of Saturday, troops have been supporting other security forces to restore peace in violence-stricken areas of Dhaka and beyond. They established checkpoints and provided protection for key government establishments, business hubs, and the general public.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has filed 38 cases and arrested over a thousand individuals in Dhaka by Tuesday afternoon for alleged involvement in violence and destruction under the guise of the quota reform movement.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told the media that the curfew will continue in Dhaka and surrounding areas, including Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Narsingdi. However, it will be relaxed from 10am to 5pm.
He added that the concerned district commissioner offices would decide whether curfews in their respective districts will continue.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to reopen all government, non-government, and autonomous offices and banks from Wednesday. These offices will operate from 11 am to 3 pm, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said. Bangladesh Bank authority also confirmed that banks will follow the same schedule.
Additionally, the Editors Guild, Bangladesh has welcomed the court verdict and government notifications regarding the quota reform and urged students to return to their classes.
Internet restored in limited capacity
Broadband internet was restored across the country on Tuesday night, offering much-needed relief to the public. However, access to certain social media platforms, such as Facebook and YouTube, remains suspended.
State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and IT Zunaid Ahmed Palak announced earlier on Tuesday that broadband internet services would resume on a trial basis by that night.
"Given the urgency for the banking sector, diplomatic zones, the readymade garments industry, export and import sectors, and the outsourcing sector, internet service is being restored," he said.
Initially, broadband services will be provided to Dhaka Airport, power stations, financial institutions, diplomatic zones, outsourcing firms, the technology sector, export-oriented industries, and media organisations. Email and other Google services will also remain operational, he added.
However, platforms like Facebook, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp are currently inaccessible due to their use in spreading rumours and propaganda against the government.
"Paid agents are involved in spreading these rumours," Palak said, urging the public to rely on mainstream media for accurate information.
38 cases filed till Tuesday afternoon
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations and Media) KN Niyoti Roy said that 1,117 people were arrested till Tuesday afternoon for their alleged involvement in recent vandalism and arson attacks. The DMP has filed 38 cases across various police stations in Dhaka.
Regarding the traffic department's losses, Roy said that miscreants torched 54 different traffic establishments, including the deputy commissioner (DC) traffic Gulshan office and assistant commissioner (AC) traffic posts in Ramna, Rampura, Mohakhali, and Uttara, resulting in damage amounting to Tk 4.5 crore.
RAB arrests four for violence
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested four individuals, including Gono Odhikar Parishad Joint Member Secretary Tarek Rahman, for their alleged involvement in recent violence, including attacks on the BTV station in Rampura and the metrorail stations in Mirpur. The arrests were made on Monday night in Dhaka’s Badda and Mirpur areas. The other arrestees are Sajol Mia, Al Faysal Roki, and Ariful Islam.
RAB Director General (DG) Barrister Harun-Or-Rashid said that the miscreants used children as shields when they were blocking roads; therefore they could not use proper measures to mitigate the situation.
"We had to use helicopters to rescue trapped police and victims," he said. "We had to deploye tear shells and sound grenades to disperse the perpetrators and ensure public safety," he added.
The RAB DG also said that they are collecting intelligence reports and legal action will soon be taken against those involved in the violence. "We are working sincerely on this," he added.
DMP urges public to identify miscreants
Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun said, "Individuals with anti-state agendas and vested interests carried out the sabotage attacks on major government establishments."
He urged the public to come forward with information on the miscreants involved in the vandalism, assuring that their identities would be kept confidential and they would be rewarded.
Dhaka dwellers feel relieved
On the fourth day of the curfew, residents of Dhaka began to venture out of their homes as the situation improved, with shops and markets reopening. Security forces allowed more people on the streets, particularly those with urgent and essential work. Increased vehicular movement was observed.
The anxiety and fear that had gripped the public during the violence and chaos began to ease. City corporations and municipalities deployed cleaners to clear the wreckage left by the attacks, under the watchful eyes of security personnel.
During visits to several areas in Dhaka, including Jatrabari, Shanir Akhra, Rayerbagh, Signboard, Rampura, Badda, Malibagh, Gopibagh, and Mohammadpur, a significant presence of security forces was observed to prevent any further incidents.
In Rampura and Natun Bazar, the army and law enforcement officers were seen patrolling areas that had experienced significant vandalism and attacks.
