Masterminds behind Radda attack remain elusive 

Police have arrested 25 people over the attack, vandalism and looting at Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1, Dhaka, but the alleged masterminds remain at large. 

Investigators are relying on CCTV footage, statements from the arrested suspects and other evidence gathered during the investigation to identify and arrest those involved. They are also seeking specific evidence against political figures whose names have surfaced in connection with the attack.

However, investigators have yet to establish who ordered the attack, who planned and coordinated it, or where the remaining looted items are.

The attack took place on the night of 25 September, when more than 200 masked people allegedly armed with local weapons stormed the centre, held two security guards hostage and looted medical equipment, medicines, vaccines, cash and other belongings. They then used an excavator to demolish one permanent and three semi-permanent buildings.

Former reserved-seat MP Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti is among the political figures whose names have surfaced in connection with the incident. She had to step down over the incident.

Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque, former convener of the now-dissolved BNP Dhaka North unit, told The Business Standard that the party had already taken action against her, adding that further steps would depend on the investigation.

Asked about former lawmaker Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti’s alleged involvement, Mirpur Division Deputy Commissioner of Police Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar told TBS that action would be taken if investigators found specific evidence against her.

Excavator operator arrested

Police have arrested excavator operator Shahidul, who appears in CCTV footage at the scene before the demolition. His brother, Zahidul Islam, said Shahidul left after becoming suspicious and was not present when the demolition began.

Shahidul previously told TBS that a man called him on 24 September to remove belongings from a site, later saying the buildings would be demolished to clear land for a shopping mall. 

After arriving near the site, Shahidul claims that he got suspicious after seeing people gathering and decided to leave. He said Shahadat Hossain, cashier of the Sammona Dokandar Samabaya Samiti, arranged the excavator. Shahadat was arrested shortly after the attack.

Police Deputy Commissioner Nasher said footage showed Shahidul arriving around 10pm and leaving around 12pm. He was arrested and questioned to establish why he came and who had sent him. CCTV footage shows another excavator was later used for the demolition.

Information obtained from him was submitted to the court, and further action will follow its instructions. 

Looted equipment still missing

Radda has yet to recover its looted medical equipment, furniture and other essential supplies, preventing a full resumption of services despite the renovation of the damaged buildings.

Aminul said the renovation was completed within seven days and handed the facility back to Radda authorities on 10 October. 

He also said two truckloads of looted belongings had been recovered and would be formally handed over through the court.

Radda Executive Director Nasrin Akhter thanked the minister for the renovation but said missing equipment, instruments and furniture continued to hamper operations. 

She urged the government to recover the items or Aminul to help retrieve them, noting that the centre’s ultrasonography machine and other essential equipment were needed to restore healthcare services to their previous level.