3-member body to probe police role in Mirpur health centre attack

A three-member committee has been formed to investigate whether police negligence contributed to the vandalism and looting at a health centre in Mirpur, Dhaka.

The committee has been asked to submit its report October 3, and action will be taken against any police personnel found negligent, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed told reporters after visiting the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1 today.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The DMP commissioner said the extent of the damage suggested that the attack could not have been carried out in just 30 minutes to an hour.

"From what I saw during my visit, it appears that the vandalism took considerable time. There are signs of damage in different parts of the building, and the tin-roofed structures on both sides were also damaged," he said.

He said equipment, including routers and other machinery, had been looted from the facility.

Police had been directed to take action as soon as the incident came to their attention, he said, adding that a case has been filed in connection with the attack.

According to the commissioner, one person has been named in the case, while 200 to 250 unidentified people have been accused.

Police have already arrested four people and are conducting drives to apprehend the remaining suspects, he said.

Asked about allegations linking reserved-seat MP Jannatul Ferdous Misty to the attack and looting, Mosleh Uddin said the matter was under investigation.

"Those found involved in the incident will be brought to justice," he said.

The DMP commissioner stressed that police would not consider the political or social identities of those involved in criminal activities.

"We will not look at any political party or ideology. We will focus on the offender. Anyone involved in illegal activities, including illegal occupation, will be brought under the law, regardless of their political or social identity," he said.

Responding to questions about possible police negligence, given that the incident occurred within around 1.5km of Darus Salam Police Station, he said preventing such occurrences was part of the police's duty.

He said the probe would examine whether officers reached the scene in time and whether there had been any negligence in responding to the incident.

The three-member committee is headed by the additional deputy commissioner of the Darus Salam zone.