Chaos in Dhaka: Robberies, shooting, and university protests rock the Capital overnight

The city of Dhaka witnessed a series of alarming incidents late Sunday night, leaving residents in fear and leading to protests. 

Armed criminals terrorized multiple areas, including Dhanmondi, Banasree, and Goran, while students at Dhaka University rallied in the early hours to demand action against the rising crime.

The chaos started in the Shankar area of Dhanmondi around 8:30 p.m., where a group of armed men paraded through the streets, causing panic among locals. 

Around the same time, another violent incident took place in Banasree, where a gold merchant was shot and robbed. 

This was followed by another attack in Goran, where a man was brutally hacked, and his belongings were taken.

These events triggered a protest by Dhaka University students, demanding the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser, accusing him of failing to control the growing criminal activities. 

As the night unfolded, an emergency press conference was held, assuring citizens of increased law enforcement measures.

Fear in Dhanmondi: Armed Men on Motorcycles

At around 8:30 p.m., a group of 10 to 12 young men arrived on motorcycles in front of Ali Hossain Boys‍‍` High School in Dhanmondi, sparking panic among the locals. 

Eyewitnesses reported seeing them carrying weapons, which led to an announcement over the mosque’s loudspeaker, warning residents about the presence of robbers in the area. 

In fear, shopkeepers quickly closed their stores, and residents fled to safety.

Social media footage showed locals asking for police intervention. 

However, according to Assistant Commissioner Shah Mostafa Tariquzzaman, the group of men was not armed. 

They were simply stopping for tea, and a misunderstanding caused the announcement from the mosque. 

After reviewing CCTV footage, police confirmed that no violence had occurred in Dhanmondi, and the group left shortly after their tea break.

Gold Merchant Shot and Robbed in Banasree

A much more violent scene played out later in Banasree. Around 10:30 p.m., Anwar Hossain, a local gold merchant, was shot by armed criminals in front of his house on Road No. 7, Block D. 

The attackers looted about 200 bhori (approximately 2.3 kg) of gold and Tk. 100,000 from him.

The entire robbery was recorded by nearby residents and quickly spread on social media. 

The footage shows three men on motorcycles attempting to snatch a bag from Anwar. 

When he resisted, they shot him and took the bag containing the gold and cash.

Mujibur Rahman, a friend of Anwar, confirmed that the merchant has been in the gold business for 15 years and usually walks home from his jewelry store. 

He believes the attackers followed Anwar from his shop and attacked him when he reached home. 

Anwar was severely injured, sustaining four gunshot wounds and several stab wounds. 

He is currently undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Goran Incident: Man Hacked, Belongings Snatched

The night of terror continued in Goran, where a person was hacked and robbed of all their belongings by miscreants. 

Further details about this incident remain unclear, but it added to the growing sense of insecurity in the city.

University Students Protest Rising Crime

By 1 a.m., Dhaka University students took to the streets in protest, gathering at the Raju Memorial Sculpture to voice their anger at the rampant rise in robberies and violence. 

The students called for the resignation of Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, accusing him of failing to maintain law and order.

Chanting slogans like “One demand, one goal, Jahangir’s resignation,” the protesters expressed their frustration over the increasing crime in areas such as Dhanmondi, Banasree, and Mohammadpur. 

They demanded immediate action from the authorities to ensure public safety and security.

A protesting student said, “We are demanding the resignation of the Home Adviser because of his failure to control the rise of robberies and criminal activities nationwide.”

Home Affairs Adviser Responds

In response to the incidents and student protests, the Home Affairs Adviser held an emergency press conference at 3 a.m. at his residence in Baridhara DOHS. 

He addressed the recent surge in criminal activities, blaming the Awami League and its allies for attempting to destabilize the country by funding unrest.

“We will resist this, no matter the cost. Law enforcement will act wherever and whenever needed, day or night,” said Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam.

He assured the public that starting tomorrow, more patrols would be deployed across the city, and any negligence on the part of law enforcement would be dealt with strictly.

When asked about the students’ demand for his resignation, Jahangir Alam stated, “This is not the first time my resignation has been called for. If the reasons they are asking for are addressed, then there would be no need for my resignation.”

Unexpected Appearance of Hasnat Abdullah

Shortly after the Home Affairs Adviser’s press conference, Hasnat Abdullah, the convenor of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, was seen near the Adviser’s residence in Baridhara DOHS. 

While he briefly spoke to journalists, he refused to comment on camera and eventually left the scene without entering the house.

As the city wakes up to the aftermath of these events, residents remain on edge, while authorities promise increased security to curb the wave of violent crime.