Situation under control after rumour of rickshaw driver’s lynching sparks vandalism at Uttara shopping mall
The Business Standard could not confirm any such deaths as of now, as police are yet to share details.
Hundreds of rickshaw pullers surrounded and vandalised a shopping mall in Dhaka's Uttara late last night (15 March) following allegations that a rickshaw driver was beaten to death over a parking dispute in front of the market.
Police were able to bring the situation under control at around 4am today (16 March).
According to police and local sources, a rickshaw puller engaged in an argument with the building's security guard at around 11:30pm last night, which later turned into a squabble.
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When the news quickly spread to other rickshaw pullers, the agitated crowd tried to block the road and vandalise the building. Following that, police were deployed to ensure security and business activities were not disrupted.
According to several locals, the quarrel allegedly began over parking in front of Uttara Square shopping mall on Sonargaon Janapath Road in Uttara Sector-13.
The situation escalated after claims spread that a rickshaw driver was assaulted and killed during the argument.
The Business Standard could not confirm any such death at the time of filing this report.
However, witnesses said hundreds of rickshaw pullers gathered there, surrounding the shopping mall and subsequently vandalising several of its floors. They also chanted slogans demanding justice for the alleged killing.
The crowd outside also hurled bricks and stones at the market.
Then both the police and the agitated crowd chased one another back and forth and at that time, the agitators hurled bricks and stones at the policemen. The police then tried to disperse them by throwing several sound grenades.
Later on, locals alleged that rumours were spreading that the injured rickshaw puller was hidden inside the building. This further angered the mob.
Earlier, despite being within a stone's throw from Uttara West Police Station, locals initially reported not seeing any police presence at the scene during the early stages of the incident.
Till 2:30am, police did not respond to TBS' queries. A TBS correspondent also sought comment from Uttara Zone Assistant Commissioner Saddam Hossain via phone and WhatsApp messages, but he did not respond.
However, when asked at around 4:30am this morning, Uttara West Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kazi Mohammad Rafiq Ahmed said that the situation is currently under control.
"Additional police and members of the Rapid Action Battalion have been deployed," he said.
