A shopping mall on Sonargaon Janapath Road in the capital's Uttara Sector-13 area was vandalised early Monday following the rumour of a rickshaw-puller's death.
The unrest began after an altercation and scuffle between a rickshaw-puller and a security guard of the mall. Following this, a number of 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 at around 11:30 pm 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 the people present managed to escape, but some were trapped, as the mob moved towards the back.
The ground floor shops suffered extensive damage. Following the vandalism, the shopping mall authorities decided to keep all shops closed today (Monday), he added.
According to the police station concerned, the attackers vandalised the ground floor of Uttara Square and blocked the road in front of the building.
Sporadic clashes broke out, as police attempted to intervene, prompting the law-enforcers to fire sound grenades. Additional police and members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) were also deployed. The situation was brought under control at around 4:00 am Monday.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Uttara West Police Station Kazi Rafiq Ahmed said at least three policemen were injured in the clashes. Police detained 12 people for interrogation.
"We have not found any truth to the claim that a rickshaw-puller died or was injured."
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Monday said the reported assault, detention, and death of a rickshaw-puller at Uttara Square was a baseless rumour, using which a group of miscreants incited a mob and tried to loot the shopping mall. DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S N Md Nazrul Islam said this following a visit to the mall this morning (16 March).
He said the police were collecting evidence from the scene to bring those involved to book.
The shopping mall remained closed, and the traders claimed their damages might exceed Tk 10 million. A case was filed.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com