Students fill police gap in Bangladesh’s capital by enforcing traffic rules and patrolling the streets

DHAKA:

For the people of Dhaka, this scene is not exactly new.

Young people in their late teens and early 20s brave the scorching heat and monsoon rains to navigate the Bangladeshi capital’s notorious traffic.

In 2018, after a recklessly driven bus killed two students, mass protests led by students swept the country. Schools and universities were closed as students took to the streets to control traffic, their way of sending a message to the government that they could handle it better than the police.

Now, six years later, young Bangladeshis are taking to the streets again, not to make a statement but simply to do a job that no one is doing right now.

“I am here because there is no traffic around and the roads have become chaotic,” said Ahnaf Matin, a private university student on duty at Mirpur Road.

“My friends and I looked up some videos on YouTube about traffic management. It’s not that hard.”

As Bangladesh begins to recover from weeks of violent protests that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, Dhaka is also slowly returning to normal, with markets reopening and public transport back on the streets.

However, there is still a significant absence of tactics and traffic, forces that were heavily politicized during her 15-year rule.

Also read: Lessons from the Bangladesh unrest

During the student protests, police reportedly used live ammunition and pellet guns, which have been condemned by international rights organizations and even the UN.

This led to more than 300 deaths and turned public sentiment against the police.

Just two days before Hasina’s departure, an angry mob set fire to a police station in Sirajganj, about 140 kilometers (87 miles) from Dhaka, killing 13 policemen – the highest number of police deaths in an incident since the 1971 war of independence. .

Since August 5, more than 30 police stations have been set on fire and at least 12 more policemen have been killed.

Under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, some police stations have reopened, but only about 10 percent of the force’s 200,000 members have returned to work, according to sources at police headquarters.

“There needs to be a complete overhaul of the police force,” said Rezaye Rabbi Zayed, a key coordinator of the student-led protests. Anatolia.

“All top officials must be removed as they were appointed by Hasina’s fascist regime. There should also be a major purge among the middle officials. Even police uniforms need to change as they have become symbols of oppression.

“Until these changes are made, we will continue to take on the role of the police and remain vigilant.”

“Handle it like a pro”

Despite their apparent lack of experience, the students are being praised for managing Dhaka’s traffic.

“They are handling it like professionals,” said Mahin Ahmed, an NGO worker.

“This intersection in Moghbazar was congested when the traffic police was in charge, but things are much smoother here with these students managing it.”

While the idea of ​​faster vehicles staying to the right and slower vehicles to the left is nothing new, it was lost in the chaos of Dhaka’s frantic traffic.

Within days, however, the students somehow successfully enforce lane discipline.

“Basic traffic rules have not been followed in Dhaka for a long time. The police were so corrupt that they allowed people to break the rules for a bribe,” said Mugdho Mahzab, an A-Levels student.

“We will not tolerate this anymore. The rules must be enforced.”

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The students also managed to rein in Dhaka’s notorious bus drivers, forcing them to use bus stands.

They also took the initiative to improve traffic safety by marking stop lines, clearing ambulance lanes and encouraging motorcyclists to wear helmets.

While facing challenges such as non-compliance and occasional anger from drivers, the young people remain committed to their cause.

Synthia Azmi, a first-year student at the University of Brac, acknowledged that the task of traffic management is undeniably difficult.

“Not everyone complies and some people even get irritated when they are asked to follow the lanes,” said Azmi, who was monitoring traffic in Dhaka’s Badda neighborhood. Anatolia.

“It may take time, but every little effort contributes to positive change.”

Security patrols and price checks

With no law enforcement police present, students also patrol the streets of Dhaka, armed with canes and even cricket bats.

Since Hasina’s ouster, there have been fears of more violence and lawlessness, exacerbated by reports on social media of looting.

In response, students and other residents are out at night in their communities, searching vehicles and watching for any suspicious activity.

“We make sure that no crimes happen in our neighborhood,” said Morshed Noman, a student at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, who was patrolling the Dhanmondi area with some friends.

“We understand it’s dangerous to be out here with just sticks, especially because criminals can be armed, but we have a strong network to support each other,” he explained.

While some police stations have reopened, they remain ill-equipped to handle detainees, especially after widespread looting and arson in recent days.

To overcome this problem, the students on patrol have handed over any arrested suspects to the military.

The sense of fear gradually recedes as communities gather for protection, with nightly patrols turning into almost celebratory gatherings.

Also read: Bangladesh: reality of the second revolution

Photos and videos of a patrol in the Mirpur DOHS area have gone viral on social media, showing what looks like a festival with tables set up in the middle of the road, colorful lights and music.

The captions accompanying the images read: “Bangladesh is not for beginners. Here, night patrols have become a festive celebration.”

Since last Friday, students have also been monitoring markets in Dhaka, a move that has been welcomed by the public and shopkeepers alike.

They organize groups to prevent traders from forming unions and inflating the prices of essential items.

said Mahnur Aslam, a student Anatolia that they ensure that merchants display their price lists.

At Karwan Bazaar, Dhaka’s largest market, they occasionally showed up as regular customers to check prices and urged vendors to charge fair prices, stressing the need for collective efforts to steer Bangladesh to a better future.

“This was a student-led uprising and they are determined to rebuild the nation from the remains of a fascist regime,” said Sharmeen Murshid, one of 17 advisers to the interim government. Anatolia.

“Our new administration fully supports the student initiative and is exploring ways to incorporate their efforts. However, our highest priority is to restore official law enforcement to duty. This is necessary and non-negotiable.”