Uttara shopping mall vandalised over rumour of rickshaw puller’s death
A shopping mall in Dhaka’s Uttara was attacked and vandalised late last night over a rumour that a rickshaw-puller had been beaten to death inside the compound, police said.
The attackers vandalised the ground floor of "Uttara Square" and blocked the road in front of the building. As police attempted to intervene, sporadic clashes broke out, prompting law enforcers to fire sound grenades. The situation was brought under control around 4:00am today.
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At least three policemen were injured in the clashes, Uttara West Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kazi Rafiq Ahmed told The Daily Star.
Police have detained 12 people for interrogation, and the process of filing a case is underway, the OC said. "We have not found any truth to the claim that a rickshaw-puller died or was injured," the OC added.
According to police sources, the unrest began after an altercation and scuffle between a rickshaw-puller and a mall security guard. Following this, rickshaw or auto-rickshaw pullers along with a group of people launched the attack.
Md Sakib, an employee of a clothing store on the first floor, said the mall was bustling with Eid shoppers around 11:30pm when a woman spread the rumour of the death.
"The mall's central PA system announced that the front gate was broken and urged everyone to use the rear exit. Many of us managed to escape, but some were trapped as the mob moved towards the back," Sakib said, noting that ground floor shops suffered extensive damage.
Following the vandalism, the shopping mall authorities decided to keep all shops closed today.
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