Published : 26 Sep 2026, 03:34 PM
Updated : 26 Sep 2026, 03:44 PM
Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md Safiqul Islam Khan has called for the arrest of those behind the midnight demolition of an NGO-run health centre in Mirpur, saying the government will not tolerate attempts to seize property "under the cover of darkness".
The Radda MCH facility in Mirpur-1 was razed late on Thursday, with heavy machinery used to tear down one permanent and three semi-permanent buildings.
The intruders then put up a signboard for "Somomona Dokandar Samity Ltd" in front of the property before leaving.
A case has been filed over the incident and police are examining CCTV footage to identify and arrest those involved, Safiqul said on Saturday.
He was speaking to reporters after inaugurating a special measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Korail.
Radda had long provided healthcare at the site, including vaccination services for mothers and children, according to the DNCC administrator.
Safiqul said he visited the facility on Friday after learning about the demolition.
"I personally spoke to the deputy commissioner of police. He told me that a case had been filed, an investigation was under way and police were trying to identify and arrest those involved using CCTV footage," he said.
"I have instructed them that, whoever is responsible, this government does not want incidents like this -- something resembling forcible occupation under the cover of darkness. We don't want it either. They must be arrested immediately."
Safiqul said any dispute between Radda and another organisation over ownership of the property should be settled in court.
Radda Executive Director Nasrin Akhter has filed a case with Shah Ali Police Station over the demolition.
Police said the case names local BNP leader Hanif Mia and another 200 to 250 unidentified people.
The suspects are accused of trespassing, theft, issuing threats and causing more than Tk 15 million in damage.
Radda has also alleged that office equipment and vaccination supplies were looted during the attack.
Hanif has denied any involvement.
"I am not involved in this at all. I don't even know what happened there. Who put my name in the case?" he said.
Vaccinations Resume Under Tent
Despite the demolition, Radda has resumed its vaccination programme from a tent at the site, according to Safiqul.
"They have already put up a tent there and started administering the measles-rubella vaccine. They will continue their work," he said.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain also said the vaccination programme would continue.
"This was an NGO-run maternal healthcare centre. There may be a dispute over its ownership, but that does not mean someone can demolish it like this under the cover of darkness," he said.
"This is certainly unacceptable. Whatever dispute there is over ownership will be decided by the court."
Sakhawat said arrangements would be made to keep the vaccination programme running until the dispute was resolved.
"The police will oversee it. We will take sufficient measures to ensure that no one can engage in any further excesses over this matter."
