Nine arrested over Mirpur health centre attack, two truckloads of loot recovered

Police have arrested nine people in connection with the attack, looting and demolition of the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Dhaka’s Mirpur-1, while goods stolen from the health facility have been recovered in two truckloads, Dhaka Metropolitan Police said on Sunday (September 27).

DMP Deputy Commissioner for Media and Public Relations Akhtar Hossain said raids were continuing to identify and arrest others involved and recover the remaining looted items.

The Radda MCH-FP Centre, a private healthcare facility, says it has provided free primary healthcare, maternity and family-planning services to poor and vulnerable women and children for nearly five decades in partnership with the government.

The facility was attacked late Thursday night, when a group of people allegedly entered the premises, assaulted and restrained two security guards, looted medical equipment and supplies, and used heavy machinery to demolish one permanent and three semi-permanent structures.

According to the case filed by Radda Executive Director Nasrin Akhtar, the attackers took medicines, vaccination supplies, ultrasound machines, a generator, computers, printers, refrigerators, air conditioners and steel cabinets. The case names local BNP leader Hanif and 200-250 others as accused. Hanif has denied involvement.

Four suspects arrested earlier were identified as Sohel, 22, Jewel, 23, Jihad Hasan, 21, and Rabib, 20.

Police said they admitted during preliminary questioning to taking part in the attack for money. A court later sent them to jail.

DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed has ordered a three-member probe into whether police failed to respond properly despite a police station being located nearby.

Action would be taken if any officer was found negligent, he said.