Couple attacked in Uttara: Police say mugger duo lived nearby, belong to local crime gang
Police say they will be able to unearth more information from the arrested duo within a few days
The two people arrested over last night's (17 February) attack on a couple in the capital's Uttara – which was captured on video – were members of the Choton and Altaf gang.
According to police, arrestees Mubarak Hossain, 25, and Robi Roy, 27, would come from the areas adjacent to Uttara Sector-8 and engage in different crimes in the late hours.
Speaking to The Business Standard today (18 February), Saddam Hossain, assistant commissioner (AC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Uttara zone, said, "Basically they were involved in muggings and had been living in a slum in Sector-9. They used to mug people coming from the area. As we could arrest the duo, we will be able to unearth more information within a few days."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
A local, requesting anonymity, said members of the gang would frequent the roads on cars, motorcycles, and auto-rickshaws.
He guessed they would usually stay in an empty plot on Road 34.
On the gang itself, Altaf was a top-listed terrorist who was arrested with 13 associates by the Bangladesh Army from Uttara's Dakkhinkhan area on 31 October last year.
He later secured bail and went underground.
Choton, meanwhile, is still seen in Uttara frequently.
Requesting anonymity, another local said, "Choton comes and collects the daily earnings from mugging. He lives in Tongi's Board Bazar area and regularly comes to Uttara at night."
Asked if the group had any political connection, AC Saddam said every criminal tried to get shelter from certain groups.
"But we are yet to find any political connection here," he added.
Meanwhile, locals pointed fingers at a political leader from Kishoreganj, who is said to support the reign of terror in Uttara Sectors 8 and 9.
Yesterday's incident occurred on Road 9 of Uttara's Sector-7 at around 9pm.
The victims were seen screaming for their lives in the video.
The incident took place after the motorcycle two youths were recklessly driving hit a rickshaw first. The rickshaw puller initially protested and the couple, who were on another motorcycle nearby, also joined his side.
At one point of the altercation, the two youths called in a few more people to the scene after becoming aggressive and issuing threats. Later, they attacked the couple with sharp weapons.
The couple was later admitted to a private hospital in the city.
Bystanders alleged that they called 999 immediately, but police were slow to respond.
Dodging the question on the delay, AC Saddam said they usually respond immediately after receiving a call from the national emergency service.
When asked why the police did not act on the information earlier, he said they always remained vigilant to maintain law and order.
Residents have said that such crimes, including mugging and sharp weapon attacks, have increased in various areas of Uttara in recent times.
A police official, requesting not to be named, said the mobile shops adjacent to the Uttara Sector-7 Welfare Association office (Sector-7 Park area) will be evicted in the evening.
"Because this is where various incidents of juvenile gangs take place. Last night too, two people were seriously injured in an attack by a juvenile gang here," he said.
