Series of night attacks raise security concerns in Dhaka

A series of attacks, vandalism and attempted takeovers in different parts of the capital over the past few days have raised fresh concerns about public safety, particularly at night.
The latest incident took place at a studio of content creator Salman Muqtadir near ECB Chattar on Saturday night, when a large group reportedly arrived in trucks and vandalised the premises.
Police have since arrested five people in connection with the attack, including an alleged planner and a leader of Muktijoddha Projonmo League.
DMP Detective Branch chief and Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam said that the studio attack was linked to a dispute over land involving New Gini Properties and other landowners, rather than an extortion attempt. The investigation is still underway.
The incident, however, came after several similar attacks in the capital within a few days, showing a disturbing pattern of groups using force, weapons and numbers to target properties and institutions.
On the night of Thursday, a group of more than 100 people allegedly entered the Radda Maternal and Child Health-Family Planning Centre in Mirpur and vandalised its building, furniture and medical equipment.
The attackers reportedly carried sticks and locally made weapons. Questions were later raised over the police response, with the officer-in-charge of Shah Ali Police Station removed following allegations of negligence.

Another incident was reported in Mohammadpur, where an armed group allegedly tried to take control of a 35-katha plot of land. The attackers reportedly broke a boundary wall and assaulted the landowner and security personnel when they tried to resist.
The same day, an armed group allegedly entered the New Gini Properties project near ECB Chattar in several mini trucks. They reportedly fired several rounds, broke the main gate and damaged CCTV cameras before attacking people inside the project.
The group also entered Muqtadir’s studio and vandalised it. Police said that the wider incident was connected to an ongoing land dispute.
In another incident, an armed group reportedly attempted to take over an eight-storey building in Shyamoli Housing in Adabor early Saturday.
Around 15 to 20 people allegedly gathered outside the house, some carrying machetes and locally made weapons. One person was reportedly seen carrying a pistol and leading the group.
The repeated incidents have created concern over the use of force in land and property disputes, with ordinary residents, businesses and public-serving institutions becoming potential targets.
Police say that patrols and checkpoints have been increased 
in the capital and teams are working to identify and arrest those involved in the recent attacks.
The incidents have also renewed questions over whether existing security measures are enough to prevent organised groups from carrying out attacks at night and leaving before police arrive.
With several cases reported within a short period, the concern is no longer limited to individual disputes. The incidents are increasingly raising questions about the ability of law enforcement agencies to ensure security and prevent groups from taking the law into their own hands.