Security guards to aid police, make arrest: DMP chief

Private security forces in Dhaka's residential areas, malls, and markets can now assist police and make arrests during Ramadan, while residents have to take personal responsibility to secure their properties before leaving for their hometowns for Eid holidays, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali said today.

He made the remarks during a press conference at the DMP Media Centre in the capital's Minto Road, addressing the deteriorating law and order situation in the country.

In recent weeks, the country has seen a sharp rise in crimes like robbery, mugging, snatching, and mob violence, including in Dhaka and Chattogram, fuelling public outcry.

Despite efforts, the government has been struggling to control the situation, drawing criticism from civil society and other sectors.

Highlighting the shortage of police personnel, the DMP chief said, "In a week, many Dhaka residents will travel to their hometowns to celebrate Eid with their loved ones. Before leaving, make sure to secure your flats and business establishments on your own responsibility."

He said that when Dhaka residents go to perform Tarawih prayers, which typically last one and a half to two hours, the streets become relatively deserted during this time.

"So, when leaving for prayers, make sure to securely lock your homes, flats, and shops."

On the new role of private security forces, he said private security personnel assigned to residential areas, markets, and shopping malls will now work as an auxiliary police force.

"They have also been granted the authority to make arrests," he said.

"These personnel have been appointed in line with The Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance," the DMP chief added.

According to the ordinance, the police commissioner may appoint any person to be an auxiliary police-officer to assist the force on any occasion when he is of opinion that the force is in need of such assistance.

It says every auxiliary police-officer shall, on appointment, receive a certificate in the form set out in Schedule II.

They will have the same powers and immunities, be liable to perform the same duties, be amenable to the same penalties and be subject to the same authority as any other police-officer, as per the ordinance.

Recently, a series of shocking criminal incidents have sparked outrage among people across the capital. In one such incident, on the night of 23 February, a gold trader was shot and stabbed by unidentified assailants in front of his home in Banasree.

There were also reports of robberies on passenger buses traveling on highways in several places of the country. On 17 February, robbers attacked a Unique Road Royals Transport bus bound for Rajshahi in Gazipur.

Even police officers have fallen victim to such crimes. In Chattogram, a viral video from 28 February showed a group of aggressive young men attacking a police officer in uniform at Patenga sea beach. They forcibly took his mobile phone and wallet, beating and verbally abusing him.

Just two days earlier, on the morning of 26 February, a female lawyer fell victim to a gang of snatchers at the New Market intersection are of the port city. In the blink of an eye, a snatcher grabbed her gold chain and escaped from the bus, aided by his cohorts.

Despite a week passing, police have yet to make any arrests in connection with the incidents.

Ctg traders worried over Eid sales

In this deteriorating law and order situation, traders in the port city are increasingly worried about business as Eid approaches.

They say although transactions worth thousands of crores typically take place across nearly 300,000 shops in the city's 150-plus markets during Ramadan, security concerns are dampening their expectations this year.

On 6 March afternoon, only a sparse crowd of shoppers was seen at Sanmar Ocean City Shopping Mall on CDA Avenue, which usually remains bustling.

Asma Akter, a homemaker out for Eid shopping, said, "Given the state of the roads and the rising threat of muggers everywhere, I feel scared to step out in the evening. That's why I came shopping during the day, so I can return home before dusk."

Mostaque Ahmed Chowdhury, senior vice president of the Chattogram Metropolitan Shop Owners Association, said, "Although shopping typically picks up after the second day of Ramadan, even after the fifth day this year, shopping malls are not seeing much foot traffic."

However, the police say they have increased patrols in key areas to curb criminal activity. Regular operations are underway to reduce muggings, with over a hundred arrests made in the past month.

Mahmuda Begum, additional deputy police commissioner (PR and Media) of CMP, told TBS, "Police have been deployed to ensure security at the city's key shopping malls. Motorcycle patrols have been increased from main roads to alleyways."