Three incidents – each involving vandalism, occupation and looting – in the capital within 48 hours have renewed concerns over law and order and raised questions about the effectiveness of government mechanisms.
At Mirpur, police were present while a five-decade-old clinic for poor mothers and children was vandalised and looted for hours after attackers arrived with an excavator, but they did not intervene.
In Mohammadpur, police reached a house where an occupation attempt was underway three and a half hours after a call was made to the national emergency number 999.
At ECB Chattar near the cantonment, police did not visit the site during hours of vandalism and arrived only after videos of the attack went viral on social media.
Facing mounting criticism, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed acknowledged police failure and announced action against officials of the force. However, amid continuing concerns over law and order since the 2024 mass uprising, similar government warnings have come repeatedly, while visible improvement remains difficult to establish.
Firearms were displayed in all three incidents, while allegations have surfaced about the involvement of local BNP leaders and activists.
On Thursday night, attackers took an excavator to Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1, vandalised the facility and looted medical equipment and instruments.
As criticism over the attack intensified, a video showing local BNP leaders attacking a house in Chand Udyan Housing area of Mohammadpur surfaced on social media on Saturday morning.
Before the controversy over the two incidents had subsided, the studio of content creator Salman Muqtadir at ECB Chattar was attacked, vandalised and looted on Saturday night.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said the incidents were “not isolated matters” but “warning signs for the government and the ruling party”.
In a statement, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, “Since August 2024, widespread allegations of occupation, extortion and establishing dominance have emerged across the country against a section of BNP leaders and activists.”
“Following the political change, many leaders and activists of the party at grassroots and various levels began behaving recklessly, which has been discussed with concern by the media, observers and political circles,” he added.
Salahuddin Ahmed said, “Police are working to bring those involved in the three incidents that took place in Dhaka under the law. Several people have already been detained.”
He said criminals had no political identity, adding that “a criminal is simply a criminal”.
After the excessive use of force during the 2024 mass uprising, the police force effectively collapsed. During the one-and-a-half years of the interim government, law and order remained fragile, with repeated incidents of “mob” violence drawing widespread attention. Occupation, snatching and extortion also increased, creating concern across the country.
Although BNP came to power after winning the 12 February parliamentary election, law and order has not changed, according to critics. Mob violence and other crimes have returned, while police have struggled to prevent attacks, vandalism and occupations allegedly carried out under the influence of ruling party activists. In some cases, police themselves have come under attack.
Professor Omar Faruk of the Department of Criminology and Police Science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University told TIMES, “Police activities have declined significantly. Behind this are various reasons, including the loss of morale after 5 August 2024, psychological weakness and a shortage of manpower compared with requirements. The government has yet to take sufficiently firm and visible steps to make police effective and stronger.”
Sheikh Sazzat Ali, who served as commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police during the interim government, said, “The incidents of occupation, vandalism and looting that are taking place present a picture of anarchy.”
Saying that withdrawing officers by broadly blaming police would damage their morale, the retired police official added, “Information has emerged that political forces are involved behind these incidents. Therefore, the government must be sincere in dealing with crimes and criminals.”
“If occupation-related violence takes place under political patronage, police cannot control it unless the government shows sincerity,” he said.
Attack involving 250 people, five arrested
At the Brownfish Studio of New Guinea Properties near ECB Chattar, Salman Muqtadir alleged that 200 to 250 people took part in the attack, vandalism and looting, including firing shots.
He alleged that BNP activists carried out the attack after failing to receive extortion money.
Police said five people had been arrested in connection with the incident, adding that one of them, Shahriar, was the main planner.
The extortion allegation, however, did not emerge suddenly.
New Guinea Properties owner Mohammad Nazim Uddin Bhuiyan said he owns 10 kathas of land at the site. He alleged that the attack was carried out by an organised group with the intention of demanding extortion money and occupying the land.
He said local political activists demanded Tk1 crore, Tk50 lakh and Tk2 crore at different times over the past month.
New Guinea Properties official Md Pallab Ali alleged that the attackers arrived in five pickup vans. Carrying firearms, they entered the housing area while firing shots.
Local residents said New Guinea Properties faced another attack and looting incident on the night of 7 August 2024. At the time, rumours spread on social media that “robbery” was taking place in the area, creating panic among nearby residents.
DMP Joint Commissioner Md Mahidul Islam said the initial assessment suggested that the incident could have occurred due to a dispute between two groups over land occupation.
Police accused of delayed response
In Mohammadpur’s Chand Udyan Housing area, Zainal Abedin alleged that police failed to provide assistance despite repeated requests when 150 to 200 people entered an office on the second floor of Mohammadpur Twin Tower and vandalised it.
He said he called the national emergency service 999 seeking police help but received no response. Police arrived at the scene three and a half hours later, he alleged.
During that time, according to the case statement, attackers searched office rooms and storerooms and allegedly took away Tk15 lakh in cash, five laptops, two air conditioners, three CCTV cameras and other office furniture and equipment in trucks.
The case was filed by house owner Anwar Hossain Ripon. Ten people were named, while another 20 to 25 unidentified people were accused.
Mohammadpur Police Station OC Md Abdul Halim said Limon and Monowar Hossain Saddam were arrested on Saturday night. He claimed they admitted to taking part in contract-based extortion and occupation activities.
DMP Tejgaon Zone ADC Jewel Rana said a group led by Jony and Rezaul entered the land after breaking the tin fencing. They later entered the office, vandalised it and attempted to occupy the land by installing new tin fencing along the boundary.
Nine arrested in Radda case
The vandalism and looting at Radda MCH-FP Centre has drawn criticism beyond Bangladesh.
Although the name of BNP reserved-seat lawmaker Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti emerged in connection with the incident, police have not questioned her. BNP has also not taken any organisational action against her.
After filing a case against several hundred unidentified people, police have so far arrested nine people, eight of whom are workers.
The other arrested person is Shah Alam, president of Somomona Dokandar Samabay Samity Limited, whose name was used on the signboard placed at Radda after the attack.
However, BNP leader Hanif Mia, whose name has emerged as the alleged mastermind of the attack, has not been arrested.
After the vandalism, NCP activists removed the signboard installed in the name of Somomona Dokandar Samabay Samity Limited from the site on Sunday afternoon.
Shah Ali Police Station OC Jahangir Alam has been withdrawn over the incident. Authorities have also announced departmental action against him.
A video showing a police vehicle present at the scene during the attack has already spread widely.
