Bangladesh: Rioters vandalised and set fire to at least six police stations in Chittagong

According to the Dhaka Tribune report, rioters attacked, vandalised and set fire to at least six police stations in Chittagong, looting weapons, bullets and various equipment. In addition, houses and officials of Awami League leaders and workers were also targeted.

Following the news of Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, agitated crowds took to the streets to celebrate. Later, police stations in Chandgaon, Patenga, EPZ, Kotawali, Akbar Shah and Pahartali under the Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) were attacked, vandalised and set on fire.

Police weapons, ammunition and other equipment were looted during these attacks. Several police personnel were injured in the attacks, Dhaka Tribune reported.

At around 5 pm (local time), the attackers tried to break through the main gate of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police Lines in Dampara. In response, police personnel fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the attackers.

After this, hundreds of people gathered in front of the main gate of Dampara Police Line and started attacking the police and trying to force their way in. The police asked the crowd to leave from there. But the furious crowd started pelting stones and bricks on the Police Commissioner’s office.

In another incident, the Chittagong Central Jail in the Laldighi area was also attacked. The jail guards opened fire from inside to disperse the rioters. At around 5 pm (local time), the Chittagong District Police Line in Chhotopul area of ​​Halishahar was also targeted.

Meanwhile, the house of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) mayor M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury was targeted and set on fire following reports of the government collapse. The house of Jubo League leader Helal Akbar Babar was also attacked, reports the Dhaka Tribune.

CCC Ward No. 10 councillor Nichar Uddin Manju’s house was attacked. he/she went to the roof of his/her house and apologised to the attackers. After this, the attackers vandalised his/her house and left.

The office of city Awami League vice-president Altaf Hossain Bacchu was also vandalised and the party office located at Darul Fazal Market off Newmarket square was set on fire.

After this, the miscreants set fire to the residence of Raojan Parliamentary Constituency MP ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury located at Patharghata behind Kotwali police station at around 5 pm local time.

People from all sections of society were marching towards Chittagong and distributing sweets in celebration. People took to the streets to celebrate after news broke of Sheikh Hasina’s departure from Bangladesh, reports Dhaka Tribune.

The report said that a joyous procession started at 3pm local time and passed through Muradpur, Agarabad, Dewanhat, Chowkbazar, GEC, Sholshahar, Kazir Deori, Jamalkhan, Bahadurhat and every part of the city.

Political instability continues in Bangladesh as the country’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned from her post in the wake of growing protests. The protests by students demanding the abolition of the quota system in government jobs have taken the form of anti-government protests.

At least 95 people, including at least 14 police officers, were killed and hundreds injured in clashes in Dhaka on Sunday, local media outlet Prothom Alo reported. Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina arrived in India on Monday evening after tendering her resignation in the wake of growing protests in Dhaka.

It is not clear whether the Bangladeshi Prime Minister will stay in Delhi or travel to another location. Reports in Bangladeshi media outlets have speculated that Sheikh Hasina may travel to London.