Police retreat from Dhaka’s streets as students call for government resignation

Bangladesh police scaled back their deployment on the streets of Dhaka on Saturday as student protesters gathered at the historic Shahid Minar to call for the government’s resignation, according to a police official and sources on the ground.

This decision to reduce police presence on such a decisive day of the protest can be interpreted in two ways: either the police have decided to withdraw their support of the government or the government is assessing how the protest unfolds without their intervention.

“Our force was deployed first with the instruction that the deployment must be defensive,” a police intelligence official told Netra News. “But after seeing the massive gathering today, the police deactivated itself.”

Bangladesh’s student protests have escalated into a mainstream anti-government movement, posing an existential threat to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration.

Beginning in mid-July, a brutal crackdown on protesters resulted in over 200 deaths — a pogrom in which the police have played a pivotal role, responsible for more fatalities than any other agency. Consequently, protesters have directed much of their anger towards the police. At least four police personnel were among the deaths.

Throughout Hasina’s 15-year tenure, the police have become her instrumental shield. Any indication that they are unable or unwilling to continue defending her government will deal a significant blow to her grip on power.

A journalist, citing sources within the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, reported that the police are now focused on consolidating their smaller outposts with larger stations.

Some officials have paused their official duties, working from home, while many police resources are now preserved to protect stations and other key installations that have drawn the ire of the protesters.

“The situation is such that it will not even be surprising if the police decide to join the protests tomorrow,” he said.