Radda Health Centre Vandalised: 10 Arrested, OC Withdrawn; Renovation Begins

have arrested 10 people in connection with the attack, looting and vandalism at Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1, a facility serving mothers and children for nearly five decades. Two truckloads of looted equipment have been recovered.

Amid questions over police response, Jahangir Alam, officer-in-charge of Shah Ali Police Station, has been withdrawn.

Meanwhile, renovation has begun, with limited services resuming Monday in a damaged room. A signboard bearing "Sammona Dokandar Samabay Samity Limited" put up after the attack has been removed and the centre's own signboard restored.

Vaccination resumes in damaged room

At around 10:30am Monday, vaccination for children resumed in one of the damaged rooms.

On Saturday and Sunday, vaccination was conducted under a makeshift tarpaulin shelter beside the road. Chairs and tables have now been arranged for children and mothers.

However, water, electricity and toilet facilities have not yet been fully restored, causing difficulties for workers and families.

Dr Nasrin Akhter, executive director of the centre, said restoration was underway and authorities had assured efforts to restore normalcy soon.

Renovation initiative launched

Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque visited the debris-strewn premises Sunday evening.

He said renovation would begin Monday and support would be provided on personal initiative to ensure services did not remain suspended.

Haque said demolition of a service-oriented institution with bulldozers for hours at night was unacceptable. Steps had been taken to restore normal operations quickly, he said.

He also said no one would be spared if involvement was established, regardless of political affiliation.

Serving community since 1974

The Radda MCH-FP Centre has been providing maternal and child healthcare to low-income residents of Mirpur since 1974.

Services include childhood vaccination, child healthcare, reproductive health and family planning.

According to workers, the centre normally serves 120 to 150 people daily. Even after the attack, staff continued essential services.

How incident unfolded

The attack reportedly took place after Thursday night, Sept 24.

According to authorities, a large group of masked individuals carrying locally made weapons entered the facility and held two security guards hostage.

Attackers allegedly looted medicines, vaccines, medical equipment, cash, furniture and other belongings before using an excavator to demolish the boundary wall, one permanent building and three semi-permanent structures.

Looted items included government EPI vaccines and records, family-planning equipment, medicines, an ultrasonography machine, a generator, three refrigerators, three air conditioners, computers, laptops, printers, lab equipment, CCTV cameras and furniture.

Sammona signboard removed

Following demolition, a signboard and banners bearing "Sammona Dokandar Samabay Samity Limited" were put up.

This led to allegations of an attempt to take control of land and claims of the organisation's involvement.

However, investigation has yet to establish who installed the signboard or whether there was direct connection between the cooperative and attackers.

The organisation's office, reportedly on the third floor of Boishakhi Super Market in Mirpur-1, was found closed when reporters visited.

The signboard at the centre was removed Sunday in the presence of National Citizen Party spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan. The centre's own signboard was reinstalled Monday.

10 arrested, belongings recovered

Police arrested 10 people. Four were arrested initially, followed by six more. A court sent them to jail.

Police said 46 categories of items were recovered from near Beribadh in Darus Salam. Recovered items included furniture, vaccines, registers, refrigerators, office documents, a printer and a generator.

Two covered vans allegedly used to transport looted goods were also seized.

Case names 200-250 unidentified suspects

Dr Nasrin Akhter filed a case at Shah Ali Police Station Sept 26.

According to reports, the case names local BNP leader Hanif Mia along with 200 to 250 unidentified people as accused.

However, being named in a case or having political affiliation does not itself establish involvement. Police said legal action will be taken against those against whom specific evidence is found.

Hanif Mia has denied involvement.

Questions over police response; OC withdrawn

Questions have been raised over police response.

An investigation reportedly found police were present while attackers were loading looted goods, but effective action was not taken before vehicles left.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed also said preliminary evidence indicated inaction and negligence.

Following this, Shah Ali Police Station OC Jahangir Alam was withdrawn, with departmental action under consideration.

However, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police order cited "administrative reasons" for withdrawal and did not directly mention the Radda Centre incident.

Jamaat announces Tk 5 million assistance

Monday afternoon, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman visited the centre.

After inspecting damage, he announced Tk 5 million in financial assistance for restoration.

He said additional support would be provided if necessary. He also called for those responsible to be brought to justice.

Alternative arrangements proposed

Several initiatives have been proposed to keep services running while restoration continues.

Earlier, reserved women's seat MP Sanjida Islam Tuli visited the vaccination centre and stressed keeping the programme operational.

She offered to allow her political office in Mirpur-1 to be used temporarily if necessary.

Investigation expected to reveal motive

Investigations are continuing alongside arrests and recovery.

Authorities are examining several issues, including police response, identity of attackers, who arranged the excavator, and whether there was direct connection between attackers and Sammona Dokandar Samabay Samity Limited.

For now, the centre's own signboard has been restored, renovation has begun and limited services are operating from a damaged room.

However, water, electricity and other infrastructure have yet to be fully restored.

After nearly five decades serving low-income residents, full operations will depend on pace of restoration.

Final findings are expected to shed light on those responsible and circumstances surrounding the incident.