A land-related dispute might be the reason behind the late-night attack, vandalism and looting at New Gini Properties in the capital’s ECB Chattar area, said DMP Joint Commissioner Md Mahidul Islam on Sunday.
“Initially, we suspect that the incident may have stemmed from a dispute between groups over land possession and dispossession,” he said at a press briefing after visiting the site of the incident.
He said the matter is still under investigation and the exact cause of the attack would be known after further questioning and investigation.
Police have so far arrested three people in connection with the vandalism, Mahidul said.
He said police from Cantonment Police Station including the Officer-in-Charge, investigation inspector and operations inspector rushed to the scene after a group of people arrived and carried out vandalism.
“Two people were arrested from the scene, and another was arrested during an operation later that night. We have already arrested three people,” he said, adding that legal proceedings are underway.
The arrestees are identified as Mamun, a resident of Gafargaon who lives in a slum in Bhashantek; Aslam, hailing from Tangail who works as an autorickshaw driver; and Munna, who also lives in Bhashantek slum.
Asked about the identities of the attackers, the DMP official said the matter is still under investigation.
“We are questioning them. Once we obtain more information, we may be able to provide you with a clear explanation,” he said in response to a question about the motive behind the attack.
Asked whether the capital is turning into a city of looting and land grabbing in light of incidents at ECB Chattar, Radda Hospital and Mohammadpur, Mahidul said police are responding immediately to each incident and working to identify those involved.
Asked whether any demand for extortion was made to content creator Salman Muqtadir, he said police have no such information at that moment.
“We have no information about any demand for extortion or anything of that sort. Initially, it appears that this may have been a dispute between groups over land. We will know more after a proper investigation,” he said.
The police official said they could not yet specify which parties were involved in the dispute.