Tensions escalated in Dhaka’s Banasree as enraged residents allegedly vandalized a residence and set vehicles ablaze following the discovery of a household aide’s body on the street.
The turmoil commenced at House No. 32 on Road No. 4 in the D-Block around 10:30 am on Sunday. During attempts to restore order, Moshiur Rahman, the chief of Rampura Police Station, sustained injuries along with two others amid confrontations.
Deputy Commissioner Hayatul Islam Khan of Motijheel Division police stated, “The deceased, identified as Asma Begum, was found outside the residence. The circumstances surrounding her demise remain uncertain, but the incident triggered significant local unrest.”
Residents reported encountering the bloodied body near the house entrance early morning, later identifying her as a household aide. Allegations of murder swiftly circulated, prompting household aides from adjacent residences and local laborers to assemble in protest.
Rima, a local garment worker, recounted witnessing the victim’s body while en route to her workplace. Subsequent police efforts to retrieve the body faced resistance, with locals obstructing and escalating into violent confrontations. The ensuing chaos saw the vandalization of the building’s ground floor and ignition of two parked cars.
The property in question belongs to former tax commissioner Delowar Hossain, as confirmed by OC Moshiur. Delowar’s son, Supreme Court Advocate Mehedi Hassan, contacted authorities around 8 am, asserting that the household aide had ‘fallen from the building’. Notably, the deceased, Asma, resided with Delowar’s daughter, Kanij Fatema, in Mirpur and had relocated to the Banasree residence just three days prior.
Upon receiving word of the incident, a police contingent arrived at the scene, encountering a gathering of locals who alleged foul play in the aide’s death.
Reflecting on the escalating situation, OC Moshiur recounted, “I personally visited the site upon receiving the report. As I engaged in dialogue, the situation turned volatile, resulting in injuries to myself and two others amidst the upheaval.”
