‘Lack of coordination’ caused Mirpur clash, says home minister

A lack of coordination between police and the magistrate led to the clash over the eviction of hawkers from the footpath in Dhaka’s Mirpur, believes Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.

He made the remarks on Sunday after a meeting at the Secretariat on security at pavilions, maintaining law and order, and other relevant issues ahead of Durga Puja 2026.

When asked whether the incident had occurred due to weaknesses in intelligence gathering, he said: “I have ordered an investigation into the incident. I have learned that the magistrate who was responsible for the operation did not properly communicate with police.

“I think there was a lack of coordination. Nevertheless, we have ordered an investigation.”

After 10am on Wednesday, a clash broke out in Mirpur-10 of the capital between hawkers and police and city corporation workers during an operation to clear the footpaths.

During the incident, three city corporation vehicles were set on fire, while vehicles belonging to the police and journalists were vandalised. Several people were also injured.