The Radda MCH-FP Centre, which provides free and low-cost healthcare to disadvantaged and low-income people, was vandalized and looted by more than 200 people in Mirpur late Thursday night in what the institution described as an attempt to take over the facility.
The attackers allegedly held the centre’s security guards hostage, tied them up and then used hammers, an excavator, sticks and other equipment to demolish parts of the facility.
The centre authorities alleged that medicines, vaccines, government registers and documents, family planning supplies and other valuables were looted during the incident.
They said an ultrasound machine, generator, four air conditioners, four refrigerators and around Tk11.4 lakh in cash were among the items taken. The total damage was estimated at more than Tk1.5 crore, according to the institution.
Officials of the centre believe the incident was planned to take control of its 10-katha property.
Dr Nasrin Akhter, executive director of the Radda MCH-FP Centre, said more than 400 people receive healthcare services there on average every day, including disadvantaged mothers, children, adolescents and elderly people.
“They can no longer receive services from the centre following the vandalism,” she said.
Dr Nasrin alleged that an organization called "Somomona Samabaya Dokandar Samabay Samity" attempted to take over the centre.
“Our night guards were beaten and tied up. Their mobile phones and other belongings were taken. Later, the entire centre was vandalized using hammers, an excavator, sticks and other equipment,” she said.
She said the institution had obtained the right to provide healthcare services through an agreement with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 1976 and had been providing free and low-cost services in partnership with the government for nearly 50 years.
“Our generator, four air conditioners, four refrigerators, an ultrasound machine, and various other equipment and instruments were there. The total damage will exceed Tk1.5 crore,” she said.
The centre authorities have filed a case with Shah Ali police station over the incident.
Officer-in-Charge Jahangir Alam said Hanif Mia was named in the case along with 200-250 unidentified people.
The accused have been charged with trespassing, theft, threats and causing damage worth more than Tk1.5 crore, he said.
Police are investigating the incident and attempting to identify and arrest those involved, the officer added.
A centre employee said several groups had previously claimed the property, but staff had received no prior warning that an attack was imminent.
The employee alleged that people associated with the "Somomona Samabaya Dokandar Samabay Samity" were involved but declined to name anyone.
Hanif Mia, a BNP leader from Mirpur, denied any involvement in the incident.
“I am not involved in this incident at all. I do not even know what happened there. Who put my name in the case? Please check with the police station about this,” he told reporters.