Police attempted to prevent vandalism at Dhanmondi 32, Says DMP Commissioner

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has said that the police made efforts to prevent the vandalism that occurred at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic residence on Dhanmondi’s 32 No. road on Wednesday night. 

When asked about the steps taken to stop the attack, the commissioner responded emotionally, stating, "We tried."

He elaborated, 

"We tried to bring the situation under control. I was personally present there until late into the night."

Journalists further pressed him about the reported attacks on the media during the same incident. 

In response, the commissioner said, 

“I was there until about 2 or 2:30 AM. I didn’t receive any information about any attacks on journalists during that time."

These comments came during an inauguration ceremony on Thursday, February 6, in Dhaka’s Uttara, where a new bus service with counter and e-ticketing systems was being introduced. 

Journalists seized the opportunity to ask about the vandalism incident that had occurred the previous night.

On Wednesday night, a group, having announced a "bulldozer procession," stormed 32 Dhanmondi, where they destroyed the Bangabandhu Bhaban, which houses the Bangabandhu Museum. 

The group also set fire to Sudha Sadan, the home of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, located on Dhanmondi‍‍`s 5 No. road.

The vandalism was not limited to Dhaka. 

There were reports of attacks in several other cities, including Khulna, Jashore, Kushtia, Barishal, and Sylhet, where homes belonging to Sheikh Hasina’s relatives and prominent Awami League leaders, along with public sculptures, were also damaged.