Despite the vigilance of law enforcers, mugging and extortion have been increasing at alarming levels in the capital over the last few of weeks.
Groups of snatchers and muggers have been active in various markets and shopping malls and surrounding areas in the capital, targeting Eid shoppers.
At least 40 victims of muggings were admitted to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in the last three weeks, with over 40 people admitted with stab injuries, according to a report by our medical correspondent based on the hospital's registrar.
A large number of people were mugged in past week, but it has been reported that many victims preferred not to report the incidents to the police to avoid further hassle.
On Friday, Agyan party members stole valuables from Sumon, 34, a passenger on a Kamlapur-bound train coming from Gazipur, after knocking him unconscious using sedatives.
He was later thrown from the moving train in the Tejgaon rail crossing area. Critically injured, Sumon was admitted to DMCH.
On the same day, muggers stabbed a boy working at a hotel in the Bangshal area of the city, and nabbed his cell phone and Tk1500.
Earlier that day in the Nazirabazar area, a group attacked a roadside businessman and snatched Tk50,000. The group brandished firearms in order to create panic amongst onlookers, ensuring them a clean escape after the mugging. . On Thursday, a gang of muggers stabbed and robbed a marketing officer of Tk 350,000 in the city's Moghbazar area.
Many more people have been victims of similar attacks in recent days.
To control the rampant mugging ahead of Eid, Dhaka Metropolitan Police launched a fresh programme and opened three hotline numbers to receive information on mugging and extortion cases.
Advocate Asaduzzaman Miah, a lawyer of the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court, said the actual number of crimes was higher than was reported to police stations due to the often unfriendly behaviour of law enforcers.
In this regard, Hassan Mahmood Khandker, inspector general of police, claimed some isolated incidents have been taking place, but that overall the law and order situation was under control.
ATM Habibur Rahman, director of the legal and media wing of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), said they deployed forces at various important spots in the city to ensure the security of Eid shoppers.
