Attack, vandalism, looting in four areas of capital in three days

Content creator Salman Muktadir’s studio has come under attack and vandalism on Saturday night as the latest in a series of attack, vandalism, looting and land grabbing attempts in four separate places of the capital within just three days. In these incidents armed attacks occurred in some places, attempts to grab land in others, and structures were reduced to rubble with heavy equipment in yet others.

Earlier on the same day morning allegation of attempt to grab 35 katha land, attack, vandalism and looting rose at Chand Udyan Housing in Mohammadpur. On the same morning allegation of armed attack and land grabbing attempt was received at an eight-storey house in Shamoli Housing of Adabor. Before that on Thursday night after attack, looting and vandalism at Radda MCH-FP Centre in Shah Ali the structures were reduced to rubble with heavy equipment.

Residents of the concerned houses, land owners and persons related to the institutions alleged that in these separate incidents display of arms, vandalism, looting as well as attempts to grab were made. Due to these successive incidents panic and insecurity have been created among the residents of the concerned areas.

Residents of an eight-storey house in Shamoli Housing of Adabor alleged that a group of 15 to 20 people carried out an attack around 6:30am on Saturday. They claimed several of the attackers had ramda, chopper and pistol in their hands.

The residents alleged that the attackers opened the main gate of the house, told everyone to go out and demanded money. Later the gate of the house was struck with chopper and ramda. CCTV cameras and window glasses were vandalised. Two more windows on the second floor were damaged by throwing pieces of brick.

The owner of the house is businessman Aminur Rahman. According to his nephew Monir Hossen four of the attackers came forward in front of the main gate. Two of them had choppers and one had a ramda in their hands. Another person was positioned a little away with a pistol in hand and was giving directions to others, Monir claimed.

He said the attackers tried to enter inside the house but failed. After staying for about five minutes they left. At that time police were informed by calling national emergency service number 999. However, he claimed police arrived at the scene around 9:45am after about three hours. Later a complaint was given at Adabor Police Station over this incident.

Officer-in-charge of Adabor Police Station Zahidul Islam said police inspected the house after the incident. The matter is being looked into through investigation.

Monir Hossen said there had been dispute over possession of the house earlier as well. He claimed a person named Khorshed Alam had grabbed the house on August 17, 2024. As no solution came even after giving complaint at the police station they filed a case in court. Later Police Bureau of Investigation investigated the matter as per court order.

Monir Hossen said they regained possession of the house on March 12 last. After about four months of investigation Police Bureau of Investigation has also given a charge sheet, he said. However, they do not know what has been mentioned in that charge sheet. In the current situation they are in panic and are afraid to even go out of the house for security reasons, he said.

Meanwhile allegation of attempt to grab 35 katha land, attack, vandalism and looting with more than a hundred people rose at the area adjacent to Rose Villa of Chand Udyan Housing in Mohammadpur on Saturday morning. Concerned persons said this incident took place on the west side of Mohammadpur Beribadh.

On the same day night after allegation of armed attack in Newgreen Housing area of Cantonment Police Station Brown Fish Studio of content creator Salman Muktadir was attacked and vandalised. It has been learnt that the studio has been extensively damaged. Police have detained three persons in this incident.

After the incident Salman Muktadir demanded ensuring security of the country’s citizens in a video message addressed to Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. On the other hand the home minister said the vandalism incident at Salman’s studio was not due to extortion; this attack took place centering on dispute and grabbing-ungrabbing incident over about 35 katha land in Manikdi Namapara area of the capital between two parties.

Earlier on Thursday night the attack, looting and vandalism incident took place at Radda MCH-FP Centre in Shah Ali. Later the pucca and semi-pucca structures of the institution were reduced to rubble using heavy equipment. The institution alleged that various materials of the office and vaccination equipment were looted during the attack.

A case has been filed at Shah Ali Police Station over this incident. Police have already arrested several persons. Police have also informed about recovering two trucks of looted goods later.