In Uttara, a northern suburb of Dhaka, a local shopping mall descended into chaos on Sunday night following the spread of a false rumour that a rickshaw driver had been fatally assaulted by security personnel inside the building. The incident has prompted an ongoing police investigation, and twelve people have been taken into custody so far.
The disturbance occurred around 11:00 pm at Square Shopping Mall, situated on Sonargaon Janpath Road in Sector 13. Eyewitnesses reported that the conflict began over a rickshaw parked outside the mall. Security staff and rickshaw drivers engaged in a heated verbal argument, which quickly escalated and attracted attention from other drivers and passersby.
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Rumour Sparks Violence
As word of the alleged beating circulated, a group of rickshaw drivers and local residents became enraged. They began vandalising the mall, smashing glass doors and windows, and reportedly setting fire to debris on the road outside the premises. The unrest created widespread panic, temporarily obstructing traffic along the busy thoroughfare.
Police intervened in several phases to restore order, deploying additional units to reinforce the scene. Despite their efforts, tensions persisted into the early hours, with sporadic agitation continuing into the following morning.
Dhaka-18 constituency Member of Parliament, SM Jahangir Hossain, visited the scene during the night. He engaged directly with the rickshaw drivers, urging them to remain calm and appealing for the crowd to disperse peacefully. His presence contributed to partially calming the situation, although authorities remained on high alert.
Police Response
Uttara West Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Kazi Md Rafique Ahmed, explained that the initial confrontation was over a parked rickshaw outside the mall. “CCTV footage confirms that a verbal altercation occurred between a rickshaw driver and security personnel, along with some minor scuffles. The driver eventually left the scene,” he said.
He added that there was no evidence to support the claim that the driver had been beaten to death inside the mall. According to the OC, the circulation of this unverified information largely fuelled the subsequent mob violence. Police have filed a case against several unidentified individuals connected to the incident, while the mall’s management plans to lodge a separate complaint concerning property damage.
Arrests and Current Situation
Currently, twelve individuals are in police custody. Authorities continue to review CCTV footage and interview witnesses to identify any additional participants. Law enforcement remains stationed around the mall to prevent further escalation and maintain public order.
Meanwhile, some rickshaw drivers maintain that a driver was detained and assaulted by mall security, though the claim remains unverified, and the person’s identity is unknown. Police have urged residents to avoid spreading rumours and cooperate fully with the investigation.
Incident Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Square Shopping Mall, Sector 13, Sonargaon Janpath, Uttara |
| Date & Time | Sunday night, approx. 11:00 pm |
| Initial Cause | Dispute over rickshaw parking outside the mall |
| Trigger Rumour | Alleged beating of rickshaw driver by security staff |
| Arrests | 12 individuals taken into custody |
| Police Response | Multiple units deployed, area secured |
| Additional Action | Mall management to file separate property damage case |
Authorities emphasise that the investigation is ongoing, and all individuals involved in the violence will be held accountable. The situation continues to be closely monitored to prevent further disturbances.