Robbery and Burglary Reports Flood Social Media
As the sun set on Wednesday, August 7, panic engulfed Dhaka’s residents. Social media buzzed with alarming reports of robbery, burglary, and mugging incidents sweeping across the city.
Multiple Areas Affected
Our correspondents reported robberies in several areas, including Mohammadpur, Jigatola, Uttara, Mirpur, and Jatrabari. These reports continued to pour in as late as 3:30 am on Thursday.
Community and Army Response
In some neighborhoods, army personnel successfully thwarted these attempts. Meanwhile, local residents formed patrol groups, communicating via various messaging platforms to coordinate their efforts.
Citizen Vigilance
Local patrol teams were established, and residents would visit identified problem zones to monitor and report back on the situation. Facebook became a hub for netizens to share incidents of robbery and burglary.
Personal Accounts of the Chaos
Journalist Adittya Saha Niloy shared his experience: “At around 11:00 pm, the mosque in my area announced that robbers had entered the neighborhood. The announcement urged people to lock their doors.” Similar warnings echoed through Jafrabad, reported by MD Tajul Islam, a TBS journalist.
Emergency Helplines and Suspended Police Duties
The army released emergency helpline numbers for citizens after the police force suspended its duties. “In Bosila, locals are patrolling with sticks for safety,” Niloy added, describing how residents attempted to confront armed robbers who ultimately fled.
Continued Vigilance
By 3:30 am, another announcement from a nearby mosque urged residents to remain alert and prepared for defensive action at any moment.
