A group of unidentified assailants allegedly attacked, vandalised and looted the main warehouse and office of AJR Courier Service in Dhaka’s Hazaribagh area, demanding that future land rent payments be made to Sanjidul Islam Emon, a man described as a notorious criminal.
The attackers reportedly stole goods worth several lakh taka, removed CCTV cameras and recording equipment, damaged office furniture and took away several laptops during the incident.
The attack occurred at approximately 6.30 pm on Tuesday, 20 October, at the company’s premises near Sikder Medical College in Hazaribagh.
Mosharraf Hossain, officer-in-charge of Hazaribagh Police Station, confirmed that the incident had taken place.
According to officials of AJR Group, more than 100 individuals gathered outside the company’s office on Tuesday evening. The group allegedly began by disabling CCTV cameras installed around the premises, apparently seeking to prevent their activities from being recorded.
A number of individuals wearing masks and helmets then climbed over the boundary wall and entered the compound. Once inside, they reportedly threatened the security personnel stationed at the facility before proceeding towards the warehouse.
Company officials alleged that the intruders removed surveillance cameras and digital video recorders (DVRs) from the warehouse. They also vandalised office furniture and stole several laptops before leaving the premises.
The officials estimated that goods worth several lakh taka were taken during the attack, although a precise assessment of the financial losses has not been disclosed.
The incident appears to be connected to a dispute over the payment of rent for the land on which the courier company’s warehouse and office are situated.
AJR Courier Service officials explained that the company had leased the property from Sikder Group approximately two years ago under a formal rental agreement.
Following the agreement, the company established its principal warehouse and administrative office at the location. Officials maintained that rent had been paid to Sikder Group in accordance with the contractual arrangements throughout the tenancy.
However, the attackers allegedly claimed that they had reached an understanding with the owner of Sikder Group and that the existing payment arrangement would no longer apply.
According to company representatives, the intruders instructed security personnel that all future land rent payments must be directed to Sanjidul Islam Emon.
The assailants allegedly warned that AJR Courier Service would not be permitted to continue operating from the premises unless the company complied with their demands.
The reported threats, accompanied by the destruction of property and removal of valuable equipment, have raised concerns about the security of the company’s operations.
As the facility serves as the courier service’s principal warehouse, any disruption could affect the storage, handling and distribution of consignments. Warehouses of this nature are central to the movement of parcels and other goods, making their security essential to the continuity of business activities.
The alleged removal of CCTV cameras and recording devices is another significant aspect of the incident. Such equipment can provide crucial evidence in identifying individuals involved in criminal activity and establishing the sequence of events.
However, it remains unclear whether any surveillance footage was preserved before the recording equipment was removed.
Although the attackers reportedly invoked Emon’s name while demanding rent payments, there has been no independent confirmation that he personally authorised, directed or participated in the incident.
Similarly, the assailants’ claim that they had communicated with the owner of Sikder Group has not been independently verified. The allegations concerning the rental arrangement are based on statements provided by AJR Group officials.
Police have confirmed the occurrence of the incident, but the available information does not establish whether any suspects have been identified or detained.
Details of any formal complaint, investigation or subsequent legal proceedings have also not been provided.
The incident has brought attention to allegations of intimidation and coercion involving commercial property arrangements in the capital. While disputes over rental agreements may require legal resolution, threats, vandalism and the forcible removal of property raise separate questions of criminal responsibility.
For AJR Courier Service, the immediate concerns include the reported financial losses, damage to its premises and threats against its personnel.
Determining who organised the attack, whether the alleged rent demands had any legitimate basis and whether the individuals involved were acting on anyone else’s instructions will be central to establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The allegations remain subject to verification, and the extent of any police action has yet to be clarified.
