Coordination gap behind Mirpur footpath clash: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has attributed Wednesday's clashes and arson in Mirpur to a conspicuous lack of coordination among the authorities involved, asserting that the magistrate in charge had failed to maintain adequate communication with the police, and has ordered a formal investigation into the incident.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, the minister contended that the disorder stemmed primarily from a breakdown in inter-agency liaison during the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) eviction operation. The drive, which began at around 10am along the Mirpur-10 to Mirpur-14 stretch, was intended to clear footpaths and roads of unlawful encroachments. Nevertheless, tensions escalated sharply when hawkers confronted city corporation personnel and law-enforcement officers, thereby transforming a routine enforcement exercise into a volatile stand-off.

According to eyewitnesses, an electrical wire was inadvertently severed as cables were being removed, which ignited a fire that subsequently spread to a nearby transformer. Consequently, violent clashes erupted, and three DNCC vehicles were reportedly set ablaze. Moreover, police fired tear gas as hawkers hurled bricks and stones, while several journalists were allegedly assaulted amid the mayhem.

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In an effort to contain the deteriorating situation, additional police officers were deployed to the area, whereas traffic between Mirpur-10 and Mirpur-14 was suspended for a considerable period. Furthermore, two Fire Service units were dispatched to extinguish the blaze and restore order. Meanwhile, the investigation ordered by the minister is expected to determine where accountability lies for the failings that precipitated the unrest.