Fed up with repeated incidents of mugging in Bhairab, local residents have staged an unconventional protest, blaming the police for failing to curb the growing crime. In a symbolic act, they brought saris and bangles to the local police station as a gesture of frustration, giving law enforcers a three-day ultimatum to restore security.
The protest was organised on Saturday afternoon under the banner of Anti-Mugging Youth Movement at Durjoy Mor, near the Bhairab Bus Stand.
Azharul Islam, one of the protesters said, “We no longer feel safe in Bhairab.”
“There was a mugging even this morning. Every day, somewhere in town, someone is being robbed. The police have failed to stop these crimes. So today, we brought saris and bangles for the police. If they cannot make Bhairab mugging-free, we’ll give these to every officer at the station,” he added.
Leaders after marching to the Bhairab Police Station met the officer-in-charge (OC) Khandaker Fuad Ruhani and issued their ultimatum.
OC faced them with the reply, “We’ve arrested one person named Naeem Mia in connection with the recent mugging incident. Based on his information, efforts are underway to catch the rest. It is unfortunate that the youth and student leaders came to the police station with such a protest, but I assured them that we will act swiftly to eliminate mugging in Bhairab.”
Earlier on Saturday morning around 5:45am, a family travelling to Dhaka for medical treatment was mugged in front of the municipal graveyard.
The assailants physically assaulted them and took all their belongings. When the victims went to file a complaint at the police station, the duty officer allegedly behaved rudely.
One of the victims, Fardin Khan, later shared his experience on Facebook, sparking widespread anger and debate in Bhairab. The afternoon protest was triggered by that incident.
Among others present at the protest rally were the student leaders – Nure Alam Niloy, Mawlana Shahriar Mostafa, Riyad Islam, and Hannan Ahmed Himu.