Muggings and snatching incidents are spreading fear across Dhaka, with armed criminals increasingly targeting businesspeople, pedestrians and passengers in broad daylight and at night.
Police have identified 342 mugging hotspots across the capital and listed 1,387 active muggers across the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s eight divisions.
Several recent incidents, including the deaths of two women and attacks on police officers, have intensified concerns among city residents, although law enforcement agencies say arrest drives and patrols are continuing.
On August 9, Tk1.2125 crore was robbed in Uttara while money from DL Petrol Pump was being taken to a bank for deposit.
A group of miscreants riding three motorcycles blocked the vehicle carrying the money, attacked its occupants with sharp weapons and fled with the bags of cash.
The money belonged to a filling station owned by the prime minister’s maternal cousin. A case was filed with the Airport police station, while several law enforcement agencies launched investigations. The muggers were later arrested in separate police and Rab drives.
On June 26, money exchange businessman Md Lokman was shot and robbed of $17,000 in broad daylight in front of Janata Bank in Motijheel’s Shapla Chattar area.
At around 3pm, two men attempted to snatch his bag. During the struggle, they shot Lokman, took the bag and fled on a motorcycle. He was admitted to Mugda Medical College Hospital.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch chief Shafiqul Islam said police had solved both cases and arrested those involved.
“There is no opportunity for criminals to escape after committing crimes in the capital. Arrest drives against muggers and other criminals are also continuing regularly,” he said.
Growing fear among residents
City residents say armed muggers are increasingly operating on busy roads, even in broad daylight.
The criminals reportedly use CNG-run auto-rickshaws, motorcycles and private cars to approach their targets and quickly flee with valuables. Those who resist often face attacks with knives, machetes or firearms.
Recently, two youths attacked a bKash agent’s shop in Mohammadpur’s Adabor Sheikhertak area with machetes, seriously injuring the shop owner, Shafiqul Islam.
When police later went to raid the suspected muggers’ hideout, they came under attack. Adabor police station OC Md Zahidul Islam Jahangir and SI Tarun Kumar were injured. Four people were later detained.
On June 12, SI Shamsuzzoha and Constable Hridoy Hossain were also injured in knife attacks while trying to catch muggers in the Zia Udyan area.
On June 7, Soheli Islam died after two muggers pulled at the vanity bag wrapped around her hand as she was returning home to Dhanmondi after getting off a bus in Gabtoli. She fell onto the road and died four days later.
Earlier, on March 19, homemaker Mukta Akter, died after being injured when muggers pulled at her bag in Uttara.
178 cases in seven months
According to DMP data, 178 mugging cases were filed across the capital between January and July.
The monthly figures were 29 in January, 22 in February, 25 in March, 25 in April, 33 in May, 24 in June and 20 in July.
Crime experts believe the actual number is much higher, as many victims avoid filing cases or general diaries because of the hassle involved or a lack of hope of recovering their stolen belongings.
342 hotspots, 1,387 muggers
Police and local sources have identified several high-risk areas, including Motijheel and Paltan, Sadarghat and Gulistan, Uttara and Airport Road, Karwan Bazar and Farmgate, and Mirpur and Mohammadpur.
Police said there are 342 mugging hotspots in Dhaka. Of these, 108 are in Mohammadpur and Adabor under the Tejgaon division, while 95 are in greater Mirpur.
Gulshan and Uttara divisions have a combined 94 hotspots, while Motijheel has 30, Wari 35, and Ramna and Lalbagh divisions together have 45.
A police source said 1,387 listed muggers are active across DMP’s eight divisions — 152 in Ramna, 159 in Lalbagh, 308 in Wari, 168 in Motijheel, 240 in Tejgaon, 53 in Mirpur, 67 in Gulshan and 240 in Uttara.
Tejgaon division Deputy Commissioner Ibn-e-Mizan said police were working to eliminate all types of crime, including mugging, snatching by Tana Party members, juvenile gang activity and drug dealing.
“Drives are being conducted every day and arrests are also being made,” he said.
Mirpur division Deputy Commissioner Tanvir Sardar said special drives were continuing, with more than 100 people, including muggers and Tana Party snatchers, arrested every day.
Airport police station OC Kamrul Islam Talukdar said patrols had been increased on Airport Road, with plainclothes and uniformed police deployed at Airport Chowrasta.
Victims call for stronger patrols
Shahadat Hossain said muggers recently tried to snatch his phone by slashing the hood of his CNG-run auto-rickshaw with a knife after he crossed Shahbagh. They failed because he remained alert.
Arman Ahmed said muggers also tried to take his phone while he was travelling through Tejgaon’s Satrasta area.
Both called for increased police patrols.
Private university teacher Kamaruzzaman called for expanded police patrols and CCTV coverage, as well as mobile tracking and the swift arrest of identified criminals.
“Visible and strict action by law enforcement agencies is now urgently needed,” he said.