Uptown Shopping Mall Vandalised Amid Rumours

In Dhaka’s northern suburb of Uttara, a violent outbreak at a local shopping mall has left authorities investigating and twelve people in police custody. The unrest erupted after a false rumour circulated that a rickshaw driver had been beaten to death inside the mall by security personnel, prompting a mob to attack the premises in protest.

The incident occurred on Sunday night around 11:00 pm at the Square Shopping Mall, located on Sonargaon Janpath Road in Sector 13. According to eyewitness accounts, a dispute began when security staff clashed verbally with rickshaw drivers over a parked rickshaw near the mall entrance. The disagreement quickly escalated, sparking tension among nearby rickshaw drivers and onlookers.

Rumour Sparks Chaos

As the night progressed, a rumour spread that the security guards had detained and fatally assaulted a rickshaw driver inside the building. This unverified claim mobilised a group of rickshaw drivers and local residents, who began vandalising the shopping mall. Protesters reportedly smashed glass doors and windows, while some even set fire to debris on the road in front of the mall.

Police attempted to intervene in multiple stages to restore order, and additional units of law enforcement were dispatched to assist in controlling the situation. Despite these efforts, tensions remained high into the early hours, with continued public unrest observed the following morning.

Dhaka-18 constituency Member of Parliament, SM Jahangir Hossain, arrived at the scene during the night. He spoke with the rickshaw drivers, urging calm and appealing for the crowd to disperse peacefully. His intervention contributed to partially de-escalating the situation.

Police Investigation

Uttara West Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kazi Md Rafique Ahmed explained that the disturbance stemmed from a dispute over a rickshaw parked outside the mall. “CCTV footage confirms that a verbal altercation occurred between a rickshaw driver and security personnel, including some physical scuffles. The driver left the scene afterwards,” he said.

The OC emphasised that the alleged murder inside the mall was unfounded, and that the spread of the rumour had primarily driven the subsequent mob violence. Police have registered a case against several unidentified individuals for their involvement, and the mall’s management plans to file an additional complaint regarding property damage.

Arrests and Current Status

To date, twelve individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the incident. Authorities continue to analyse CCTV footage and interview witnesses to identify others responsible for the unrest. Police maintain a presence around the shopping mall to prevent further escalation and ensure public safety.

Meanwhile, angry rickshaw drivers insist that a driver was detained and beaten by mall security, although the claim remains unverified and the individual’s identity is unknown. Authorities are urging residents to refrain from spreading rumours and to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

Incident Overview

Authorities have reiterated that investigations are ongoing, and all individuals involved in the violence will be held accountable. Meanwhile, the situation remains under close monitoring to prevent any further disturbances.