# Miscreants carried out rampage targeting important installations
# Hospital, fire service and railways were not spared from the attack
# Mass media vehicles were also vandalized and set to the fire
# Attacks and arson on 313 establishments of four forces alone
On June 5, the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court declared illegal the circular issued by the government abolishing quota system in government jobs in 2018. After the Eid holidays, the second phase of the movement started from the first day of July demanding quota reform. In the beginning, the movement was limited to meetings, rallies and processions. The non-violent movement turned violent from July 15.
The protesters clashed with police and government supporters in different parts of the country, including the capital Dhaka. Centering the movement, miscreants carried out widespread vandalism, arson and looting in various government and private important installations, offices, railway stations across the country.
Army was deployed across the country by imposing curfew from 12 am on last Friday to control the situation. At the time of writing this report yesterday evening, the curfew was still in force.
After imposing the curfew, clashes, attacks, vandalism have stopped across the country. However, the scars of destructions are gradually emerging across the country, including the capital.
Experts do not think that the scars of the unprecedented rampage carried out by the miscreants targeting various police installations, hospitals, party offices and important government installations will be easily erased.
Meanwhile, the first major blow came on the night of July 18. On that night, the toll plaza of Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover in Jatrabari was set on fire. Since then, vandalism, arson and looting of various establishments began.
Banani and Mohakhali toll plazas of the elevated expressway, BTV Bhaban, Setu Bhaban, Mirpur 10 and Kazipara metro rail stations were burnt down one by one. Mirpur Fire Service Station was also vandalized. At that time the fire service vehicle was gutted. The mayhem was also carried out at the Mirpur Indoor Stadium and BRTA was attacked twice.
The first attack was carried out on the BRTA headquarters on July 19. Then on July 20, the Mirpur office of BRTA was also attacked. At that time, the miscreants vandalized different floors of the building and looted valuables as well as arson. Miscreants set fire to Mohakhali database storage after the attack. Then, the internet system was shut down across the country.
The Setu Bhaban in Mohakhali was set on fire. Bangabandhu Corner, Reception Center, Auditorium, Day-Care Center along with more than 50 cars were gutted in the fire. Valuables materials were looted.
Another important structure that is still carrying the marks of vandalism located in Mohakhali is the Disaster Management Building. More than 50 vehicles, electrical substations, servers, emergency response coordination centers were damaged due to vandalism and arson.
Not only that, the miscreants attacked and vandalized several regional offices of Dhaka North City Corporation. The attackers vandalized and set fire to the Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations of the Metrorail when ticket selling machines, computers, printers, schedule monitors were damaged and looted. The concerned people think that it may take a long time to activate these two stations.
The miscreants vandalized and set fire to various media and private vehicles, including Desh TV, beside the Kazipara metro station. The windows of various establishments, including the offices of different banks, were vandalized near the roundabout of Mirpur-10.
54 traffic police boxes in Dhaka were set on fire. Miscreants set fire to the office of the deputy commissioner of traffic in Gulshan and AC Ramna, Rampura, Mohakhali and Uttara. The attackers vandalized a car at Baridhara Fire Station. The office of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) in Dhanmondi was vandalized.
Apart from the capital Dhaka, miscreants also ruined and set fire to important installations, offices, cars in different parts of the country. According to a media outlet, there have been 113 arson incidents across the country. Of these, 90 incidents of arson took place in Dhaka district.
However, the number is higher according to police, RAB, BGB and Ansar. Only these four forces attacked and set fire to 313 establishments. Various types of vehicles, including their armored vehicles, have been vandalized.
The attackers set fire to the PBI district office, police box, Narayanganj City Corporation's Nagar Bhaban and highway police office in Narayanganj. The Regional Passport Office on the Dhaka-Narayanganj link road was also set on fire. Arms were looted after vandalism and arson in Narsingdi District Jail.
Gaibandha railway station was vandalised. The Awami League (AL) office was attacked. Several vehicles were set on fire. The AL office was attacked in Bogura. Gazipur City Corporation's Tongi and Board Bazar regional offices and the office of the District Roads and Highways Department were attacked. The attackers vandalized the office of DESCO in Tongi's College Gate area.
In Barishal city, miscreants attacked and vandalized Nathullabad Central Bus Terminal Police Box, Chowmatha Police Box and Barishal University Police Camp. They also vandalised two motorcycles, a pickup, a truck and 10 CCTV cameras.
Massive destruction was carried out in the port city of Chattogram during the movement. Four motorcycles, including 13 police cars, were damaged. Several establishments of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) have been attacked.
Miscreants have also carried out sabotage in Madaripur town centering the movement. Police outposts, vehicles and filling stations were set on fire. The district AL office and the deputy commissioner's office were vandalized.
Besides, miscreants carried out destruction in different parts of the country including Rangpur.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday sought justice from the countrymen after visiting Mirpur-10 Metro Rail Station in Mirpur.
She said, “The people of the country will have to prosecute them (the criminals involved in the countrywide mayhem). I want justice from the people. I have no other words to describe the devastation.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also visited the gutted BTV building in Rampura yesterday morning, a day after visiting the metro station. At the time, she said, “Even Pakistani occupation forces did not touch the television. Who are the people who burned down the television station? Are they people belonging to this country? Were they born in this country? They have selectively wreaked havoc on the things that serve the people, do the work of the people.”
ZH