A shopping complex in the capital’s Uttara area was surrounded and vandalized early Monday after allegations spread that a rickshaw puller had been beaten to death and his body concealed inside the building.
Clashes broke out in phases between agitated people and police during the incident.
The situation unfolded in front of the Uttara Square shopping complex building from around 12:30am until dawn, according to witnesses.
Eyewitnesses said an altercation broke out Sunday night between a security guard of the shopping complex and a rickshaw puller, which later turned into a physical fight.
Rumors later spread that the rickshaw puller had died and that his body had been hidden inside the building.
As the allegation quickly spread, angry rickshaw pullers and local residents blocked the road and carried out vandalism at the building.
Police and army personnel were later deployed to maintain security and keep business activities normal.
When law enforcement agencies attempted to disperse the agitated crowd to bring the situation under control, clashes broke out in phases with locals.
During the clashes, the protesters threw brickbats. Police responded by throwing sound grenades and carrying out baton charges to control the situation.
The situation eventually came under control around 3:30am.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner Wahidul Islam said one person had been reported missing, though his identity could not immediately be confirmed.
“Although it has been said that one person is missing, his name and address have not yet been found. It is also not certain whether anyone has been killed. CCTV footage will be examined to confirm the matter. The army and police have searched inside the building but have not found anything so far. Additional police have been deployed at the scene,” he said.