Gazipur Safari Park staff accused of assaulting visitors, snatching valuables

Several employees of Gazipur Safari Park have been accused of assaulting visitors following a minor dispute and snatching their mobile phones, cash and gold jewellery.

Victim Salma Mostari filed a written complaint with Sreepur Police Station on Saturday night (August 29). Police later recorded it as a case.

The alleged victims include Salma Mostari, 44, of Dhaka’s Bhatara area, and her two sons, Zarif, 15, and Mahim, 17. The accused employees have been identified as Chandan Kumar, 40, Masud Rana, 40, and Dhananjay Dhona, 35.

According to the complaint, the incident began after Salma noticed dirt on a seat while boarding a minibus for the park’s core safari. When she asked a staff member to clean it, he allegedly responded angrily. The situation escalated after she protested, and several employees allegedly attacked the family after they got off the safari bus.

Salma alleged that the employees dragged her two sons to a park office, where they were beaten with sticks and detained for several hours. She said she was also assaulted and humiliated when she tried to protect her children.

The family further alleged that their mobile phones were taken during the assault, with one phone being damaged. They also claimed that cash and gold jewellery were taken from them.

A video of the incident has circulated on social media. It appears to show several park employees dragging visitors into a room and assaulting them.

Safari Park Project Director Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury said he had been informed of the incident and was at the park when it occurred. He said the visitors were called and an apology was offered after the incident came to light.

He added that both sides may have had some responsibility for the confrontation and claimed that some park employees were also injured. The park authorities have also said they would take legal action.

Mohammad Shahinur Alam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Sreepur Police Station, confirmed about the case.

"Police are investigating the incident and will take legal action based on their findings," he said.