11 held on remand over Uttara shopping complex vandalism

In connection with the attack, vandalism, and looting at the ‘Uttara Square Shopping cum Commercial Complex’ in Uttara, Dhaka, the court has approved a two-day remand for 11 accused in a case filed by the mall authorities.

Following a police remand request, Metropolitan Magistrate Kamal Uddin issued the order on Tuesday, reports media.

Shamim, Deputy Inspector of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Prosecution Department, said the case investigation officer, Sub-Inspector Md. Sumon Mia of Uttara West Police Station, produced the accused in court and requested a seven-day remand. The accused’s lawyers sought bail and cancellation of the remand. After hearing both sides, the magistrate approved a two-day remand.

The accused whose remand was approved are Md. Monir Alam (32), Md. Mojibur Rahman (20), Md. Hriday (19), Md. Manjurul (32), Md. Mohabbat Ali (18), Shah Poran (19), Md. Shakil (19), Md. Rashidul Islam alias Rashid (27), Md. Saju (24), Md. Liton (24), and Jihad (19).

The remand request stated that seven days of remand were necessary to identify the main instigators and perpetrators of the incident, recover the looted goods worth 1.5 million BDT, and interrogate the accused to apprehend other unknown individuals involved. The police arrested the suspects yesterday, Monday, on suspicion of involvement.

According to the case, at around 9:30 pm on the day of the incident, a dispute broke out between a rickshaw puller and an on-duty security guard in front of the ‘Square Shopping cum Commercial Complex’ on Sonargaon Janapath Road under Uttara West Police Station’s Sector 13. The rickshaw puller, along with 15-20 unidentified rickshaw pullers, attacked the security guard. When other security guards from the complex tried to intervene, the rickshaw pullers assaulted them as well, causing serious injuries.

Following this, rumors spread, and 600-700 agitated individuals attacked the shopping complex with sticks and rods. The attackers smashed the glass on the ground and first floors of the complex. Taking advantage of the chaos, the accused looted goods worth 1 million BDT from the ‘Khajana Varieties Store’ and jewelry worth 500,000 BDT from the ‘KZ Mitation Jewelry’ shop inside the complex.

Police and the army arrived at the scene to control the situation, but the enraged crowd threw bricks and set fire to the road. The incident reportedly caused damage worth approximately 90 million BDT to the complex. After prolonged clashes, police brought the situation under control by deploying sound grenades and tear gas, arresting 11 individuals from the scene.

The case was filed yesterday by the complex’s electrician, Ariful Islam, at Uttara West Police Station regarding the vandalism at the shopping complex.