Case filed over attack on Uttara shopping complex, 700 named as accused

Police have filed a case over the attack, vandalism and looting at 'Uttara Square' shopping complex in Sector 13 of the capital's Uttara, which occurred from Saturday night through Sunday. Seven hundred unidentified individuals have been named as accused in the case.

Uttara West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kazi Rafiq Ahmed confirmed the matter to the media.

He said incidents of vandalism targeting the shopping complex, road blockades and attacks on police occurred. Operations are underway to arrest the accused based on CCTV footage. Additionally, preparations are underway to file another case on behalf of the businessmen.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Crime and Ops) S M Nazrul Islam visited the scene and said the news that a rickshaw puller was beaten and tied up inside the shopping mall is a rumour. However, six police personnel were injured in the attack and clashes.

According to eyewitnesses and businessmen, the incident began with an argument and altercation between a security guard at the market and a rickshaw puller. Subsequently, several rickshaw and auto-rickshaw pullers gathered there and started creating a disturbance. The situation quickly escalated as locals joined them. Later, rumours spread on social media that the rickshaw puller had been beaten and tied up inside the shopping mall.

The surrounding area turned into a battlefield during multiple rounds of clashes. As protesters hurled brickbats at police, authorities used sound grenades to try to control the situation. The shopping complex is currently closed, and businessmen report that they have suffered losses amounting to crores of taka in this attack.

Police and local administration have the situation under control. However, businessmen remain worried and frightened by this incident ahead of Eid.