Rickshaw driver's detention, death at Uttara mall a baseless rumour: DMP
Moulvibazar-4 lawmaker and owner of Uttara Square mall Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury has alleged that the vandalism caused damages worth Tk10 crore
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has clarified that the reported assault, detention, and death of a rickshaw driver at Uttara Square shopping mall was a baseless rumour, using which a group of miscreants incited a mob and tried to loot.
DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam shared the development while talking to reporters following a visit to the mall on Sonargaon Janapath Road in Uttara Sector-13 this morning (16 March).
While no case has been filed yet regarding the violence, the police are currently collecting evidence from the scene to bring those involved to book, he said.
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He added that six police officers were injured during last night's clashes as they attempted to disperse the agitated crowd.
As of now, the shopping mall remains closed as traders assess damages, which they claim exceed Tk1 crore.
Some rickshaw pullers were still seen in the area this morning, while the presence of the law enforcement officials was also visible.
Meanwhile, Md Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, lawmaker for Moulvibazar-4 and owner of Uttara Square mall, said the incident originated from an argument and scuffle between a rickshaw puller and a market security guard.
Alleging that the vandalism caused damages worth Tk10 crore, he confirmed, "We will file a case regarding this matter today."
Following the altercation, according to the parliamentarian, a group brought in more people and then launched a coordinated attack, vandalising the building and looting several shops.
"When we called the police, they arrived and detained four to five individuals. Immediately after, a rumour was spread that a rickshaw puller had been killed inside the market. Despite conducting a search with the police and the army, no evidence of a killing was found," he stated.
He noted that the police were unable to restrain the attackers due to their large numbers, and the situation was eventually brought under control by the army.
DMP Additional Commissioner Nazrul's visit followed a night of chaos where protesters, acting on claims that a rickshaw driver was beaten to death and his body had been hidden inside the building, engaged in pitched battles with law enforcement, prompting the deployment of the army and the use of sound grenades to restore order.
In the wee hours of today, locals told The Business Standard that a rickshaw puller reportedly engaged in an argument with the mall's security guard at around 11:30pm Sunday (15 March), which later turned into a squabble.
When the news quickly spread, an agitated group of rickshaw drivers tried to block the road and vandalise the building. Following that, police were deployed to ensure security and business activities were not disrupted.
The situation escalated after claims and rumours spread that the first rickshaw driver was assaulted and killed during the argument.
Witnesses said hundreds of rickshaw pullers gathered there, surrounding the shopping mall and subsequently vandalising several of its floors. They also chanted slogans demanding justice for the alleged killing. The crowd outside also hurled bricks and stones at the market.
A chase-counter-chase between the police and the agitated crowd took place at the time, with the agitators hurling brickbats at the policemen. The police then tried to disperse them by throwing several sound grenades.
Later on, rumours spread that the rickshaw driver's body was taken and hidden inside the building. This further angered the mob.
Earlier, at around 2am today, despite being within a stone's throw from Uttara West Police Station, locals initially reported not seeing any police presence at the scene during the early stages of the incident.
Till 2:30am, police did not respond to TBS' queries. A TBS correspondent also sought comment from Uttara Zone Assistant Commissioner Saddam Hossain via phone and WhatsApp messages, but he did not respond.
However, when asked at around 4:30am, Uttara West Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kazi Mohammad Rafiq Ahmed said that the situation was under control at that time.
"Additional police and members of the Rapid Action Battalion have been deployed," he had said.
