Coordination gap between magistrate, police behind Mirpur clash: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that a lack of coordination between the magistrate overseeing a hawker eviction drive and police may have contributed to Wednesday’s clashes in Mirpur.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting on Durga Puja security and the overall law-and-order situation at the Secretariat, the minister said he had ordered an investigation into the incident.

“From what I have learned initially, the magistrate responsible and officials involved in the operation did not properly communicate with the police. I think there was a lack of coordination,” he said, adding that the matter would be investigated further.

The clashes erupted during a Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) eviction drive launched around 10am to clear footpaths and roads of illegal encroachments from Mirpur-10 to Mirpur-14. Hawkers confronted DNCC officials and later clashed with police deployed at the scene.

Three DNCC garbage trucks were set on fire during the violence, while a police vehicle and an excavator were vandalised. Several people, including police personnel, were injured, while some media workers covering the incident were also reportedly attacked.

Witnesses and hawkers said the incident initially began with an electrical fire after wires were damaged during the eviction operation. The fire reportedly spread to a nearby transformer before the situation escalated into clashes.

The subsequent arson and vandalism were reported separately during the confrontation.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Mirpur Division Deputy Commissioner Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar confirmed that a police vehicle had been vandalised and said several police personnel were injured.

Additional police were deployed as the situation deteriorated.

After visiting the area, DNCC Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milon said the eviction campaign would continue to ensure safe and unobstructed movement for city residents.

He said illegal occupation of footpaths would not be allowed and those involved in the Mirpur violence would face legal action.