The Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has vowed to take a tough stance against armed criminals and extortionists following a shooting incident at Gendaria in Old part of Dhaka.
The DB said law enforcement agencies would focus on an individual’s criminal activities rather than their political affiliation, adding that operations against armed criminals and extortionists would continue irrespective of party identity.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Detective Branch) Md Shafiqul Islam made the remarks at a press conference at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road in the capital on Thursday, following the arrest of an accused in connection with the Gendaria shooting and the recovery of a firearm.
“No one involved in the Gendaria shooting will be spared,” Shafiqul Islam said. “A person’s political affiliation is not our concern. Our primary responsibility is to maintain law and order and curb crime. DB operations against armed criminals and extortionists will continue.”
The Detective Branch (DB) of DMP’s Wari Division has arrested four people in connection with a gunfight between two groups in the Munshirteck area of Swamibagh under Gendaria Police Station, reportedly over control of the local drug trade.
Police recovered two foreign-made pistols, two magazines, two rounds of ammunition, two knives and 160 yaba pills from their possession.
The arrested were identified as Farid Bepari, 23; Md Sobuj, 22; Shahadat Hossain Alif, 18; and Rifat Hossain, 19.
According to the DB, the gunfight broke out on Sunday evening between two groups over control and dominance of the local drug trade.
Three people, including a woman, were injured when gunmen opened indiscriminate fire in the Munshirteck area of Gendaria at around 7:00pm on August 30.
The injured were identified as pedestrians Asha Akter, 20, and Siam, 18, and tea stall owner Alamgir, 33. The victims said they were innocent bystanders.
Acting on intelligence information, a specialised operational team of the DB’s Wari Division later tracked down the alleged armed criminals and drug dealers and arrested the four suspects in Dholairpar under Jatrabari Police Station on Wednesday night.
During a search, police recovered a 7.65mm foreign-made pistol, a steel magazine and two rounds of ammunition from Farid Bepari's waist, along with 160 yaba pills from the front pocket of his trousers.
Another 7.65mm foreign-made pistol and a steel magazine were recovered from Md Sobuj's waist.
Police also recovered a switchgear knife from Shahadat Hossain Alif and a sharp, curved metal knife with a wooden handle from Rifat Hossain.
The DB said the four suspects were active members of an organised network involved in illegal firearms, criminal activities and drug trafficking.
According to the DB, the suspects went into hiding at different locations after their images were captured in CCTV footage in connection with the shooting and the display of locally made weapons.