Police have filed a case against around 700 unidentified individuals over the attack, vandalism and looting of the Uttara Square shopping mall in the capital’s Uttara area, a day after violence erupted following rumours that a rickshaw puller had been beaten inside the mall.
Confirming the development on Monday night, Officer-in-Charge Kazi Rafiq Ahmed of Uttara West Police Station said the case was filed in connection with vandalism at the market, road blockades and attacks on police during the unrest.
“About 700 unidentified people have been accused in the case. We are examining CCTV footage and conducting drives to identify and arrest those involved,” the OC said.
He added that traders of the market are also preparing to file another case over the damage and looting.
Rumour that triggered chaos
The violence erupted early Sunday after rumours spread that a rickshaw puller had been beaten and tied up inside the Uttara Square shopping complex in Sector 13.
However, police later dismissed the claim as baseless.
After visiting the site on Monday, Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, SM Nazrul Islam, told reporters that the allegation was “completely false”.
“The news that a rickshaw puller was beaten and tied up inside the market is a rumour,” he said, adding that a group of miscreants took advantage of the misinformation to create chaos and loot shops.
Six police personnel were injured when protesters attacked law enforcers during the clashes, he said.
Night of chase and counter-chase
According to police and eyewitnesses, the unrest began around 12:30am on Sunday after an argument broke out between a rickshaw puller and a security guard at the commercial building.
The altercation quickly escalated as other rickshaw and auto-rickshaw drivers gathered at the spot, followed by local residents. Within a short time, the situation intensified as rumours began circulating on social media that a rickshaw puller had been beaten and detained inside the market.
The rumour drew a larger crowd, and the area soon descended into chaos.
Witnesses said groups of people stormed the shopping complex, vandalising shops and looting cash and valuable goods. The situation turned violent as clashes continued in and around the market until about 4:00am.
When police arrived to control the situation, protesters allegedly hurled bricks and stones at law enforcers. Police later fired sound grenades to disperse the crowd and restore order.
Mall closed, traders worried before Eid
The shopping mall remained closed on Monday following the violence.
Traders said the attack caused heavy damage, with several shops ransacked and goods looted.
Shop owners and employees estimated that the losses could run into crores of taka, raising serious concerns ahead of the upcoming Eid shopping season.
“We are extremely worried,” one trader said, requesting anonymity. “This happened just before Eid, when business is supposed to be at its peak.”
Following the incident, police deployed a large number of personnel in the area to prevent further unrest and maintain security around the market.
Investigators are now reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence to identify those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.