Shah Ali OC withdrawn as probe founds police negligence in Radda demolition, looting case

An investigation into the attack, vandalism and looting at Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur found evidence of negligence by police on duty, with the report submitted to the DMP commissioner's office. Mirpur Division DCP Hasan Mohammad Nasher Rikabdar confirmed the development to The Business Standard today (27 September).

Meanwhile, Mirpur Shah Ali Police Station OC Jahangir Alam has been withdrawn and attached to the DMP Central Reserve Office, two days after the incident at the healthcare centre in Mirpur-1. 

A DMP order signed by Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed announced the move on Saturday, though it became public today. Until then, Jahangir had briefed reporters on the arrests and recovery of looted goods. The order cited only "administrative reasons" and did not link his withdrawal to the Radda incident.

"The roles of those whose involvement has emerged are being further verified. Necessary action will be taken after the investigation. Those against whom specific evidence is found will be made accused in the cases," said DC Hasan Mohammad Nasher Rikabdar

Ten people have so far been arrested over the attack, while two truckloads of looted goods have been recovered, Md Akter Hossain, deputy commissioner of the DMP's Media and Public Relations Division, said today.

According to the case statement, 200-250 masked people armed with local weapons raided the private NGO-run clinic between midnight and 2am on 25 September, taking two security guards hostage before allegedly looting the facility and demolishing parts of it using heavy machinery.

Clinic Executive Director Dr Nasrin Akhter filed the case with Shah Ali Police Station on Saturday, naming Mirpur BNP leader Hanif Mia and accusing the unidentified attackers of trespassing, theft and issuing threats. The case claims damages of more than Tk1.5 crore.

The Radda MCH-FP Centre has provided primary healthcare, EPI vaccination and family planning services to poor and underprivileged people in the area since 1976.

Dhaka sees four OC removals in a month

Jahangir's withdrawal brings to four the number of OCs transferred or removed from duty at different police stations in Dhaka over the past month.  

While administrative reasons were cited in some cases, issues including law and order, alleged failure in duty and complaints against officers were also discussed in some instances.

Gulshan OC Md Daud Hossain was withdrawn after a banned Awami League procession on 11 September that involved crude-bomb explosions; his divisional DC was also removed amid reports of alleged negligence. 

Cantonment OC Md Rakibul Hasan was withdrawn after an audio clip attributed to him circulated online, in which a person identifying himself as the OC was heard making various comments about the government, administration, army, and police.

On 24 September, Rakibul was shown arrested in a sedition case filed by the DMP over allegations of spreading anti-state and provocative statements on social media. Police sought his remand in the case.

Khilgaon OC Mohammad Shafiqul Islam was transferred to the Counter Terrorism Investigation Division amid reports alleging "shown arrest business" and links with drug traders. The DMP did not establish whether those allegations prompted his transfer.

Widespread condemnation

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) have condemned the recent attacks on a healthcare centre in Dhaka's Mirpur, calling for impartial investigations and accountability.

The CSO Alliance, a national coalition of more than 300 civil society and private organisations, condemned the attack and called for a swift, impartial investigation, accountability and compensation. 

The statement was issued on behalf of the alliance's executive committee by BLAST's Sara Hossain, BRAC's Asif Saleh, Kumudini Welfare Trust's Shiv Narayan Kairy, Rasheda K Chowdhury, Manusher Jonno Foundation's Shaheen Anam, WaterAid's Hasin Jahan, Nutrition International's AKM Musa, BRAC Senior Director KAM Morshed, and IID's Sayeed Ahmed.