Nearly 2,000 accused in four cases over vandalism, arson during eviction drive in Mirpur

Four cases have been filed over clashes, vandalism and arson centring a footpath eviction drive in the capital's Mirpur-10 area. Of these, three cases were filed with Mirpur Model Police Station and one with Kafrul Police Station. Nearly 2,000 people have been made accused in these cases.

Police said 400 to 500 people were made accused in each case. However, most of the accused are unidentified. At least 30 people have been detained in the incident so far. Operations are underway to identify and arrest the others.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Mirpur Model Police Station Hafizur Rahman said on Thursday, October 1, that of the three cases, one was filed by Dhaka North City Corporation. It alleged setting fire to a city corporation vehicle. Another case was filed by police as complainant over an attack on police, and a third was filed by traffic police as complainant over an attack on traffic police. In each case, 400 to 500 people were made accused.

On the other hand, another case was filed with Kafrul Police Station over setting fire to a city corporation vehicle. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Saiful Islam said 400 to 500 unidentified people were made accused in the case filed by the city corporation. Operations to arrest them are continuing.

Earlier, around 9:30am on Wednesday, September 30, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) began an operation to evict illegal footpath encroachments from Mirpur-10 roundabout towards Hope Market. City corporation workers participated in the operation led by Executive Magistrate Marufa Begum Neli.

At one stage of the operation, local shopkeepers and eyewitnesses said, while removing floating shops under the Baitul Kuddus Jame Mosque market adjacent to Hope Market, a veku (crowbar) strike snapped an electric wire, sparking a fire. Five shops in the market were burnt in the incident. Upon receiving the news, two units of the Fire Service went to the scene and brought the fire under control after about 15 to 20 minutes of effort.

After the fire, angry hawkers and shopkeepers attacked city corporation workers, heating up the situation. Later, when police arrived at the scene, they also clashed with the hawkers. At one point, when hawkers threw bricks at police, police fired tear gas shells. Several police members were injured in the clash. To bring the situation under control, police are now conducting operations to arrest the accused in the cases alongside carrying out the eviction drive.