DU campus turns into safe haven for muggers

Mugging on DU campus is frequent even after police patrol. PHOTO: STAR

Mugging incidents have become commonplace on the Dhaka University (DU) campus and in adjoining areas that turned into a safe haven for muggers.

Residents on the campus and police sources blamed outsiders and a section of activists of the ruling BNP's student wing Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) for the crime.

The muggers are snatching valuables from the teachers, students and pedestrians almost every day but the law-enforcers do not take any action, the victims alleged.

According to the DU residents and other sources, more than 100 mugging incidents took place on the campus and in adjacent places in the last couple of months.

"We know who are involved in it, but we could do nothing as most of the snatchers have link with the ruling party," a police officer told Star City requesting anonymity.

Police arrested Shariful Kabir, joint secretary of JCD's Surya Sen Hall unit, Imtiaz Ahmed, senior vice president of the Sir AF Rahman Hall unit and JCD activist Tareque Sabbir Ahmed last month for mugging near the Central Shaheed Minar.

The JCD high command took disciplinary action against them.

DU Teachers' Association President Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said more than 20 teachers were mugged in the last few months on the campus. "We informed the university authorities several times, but no actions were taken," he alleged.

"A section of students are known to have involved in mugging and the university authorities should take stern action against them," he said.

Contacted, DU Vice-chancellor Prof SMA Faiz said the authorities would take necessary steps against those who are involved in criminal activities. "We have also informed the law enforcement agencies to take action against them," he added.

Sources said the law-enforcement agencies have prepared a list of about 25 people, mostly JCD leaders and activists, and submitted it to Rapid Action Battalion.

Many teachers and students said police patrol on the campus is quite irregular. They suggested beefed-up security and regular patrol in and around the campus.

Students caught a JCD leader red handed while snatching a gold chain from a female student in the Arts Building a few months ago and handed him over to the police.

A taxicab driver was mugged near Surya Sen Hall a month ago. The victim told the police that the muggers took away his mobile phone and money. The police then raided the area but could not arrest the culprits.

Besides, muggers snatched a mobile phone and money from a relative of a student in front of Mohsin Hall few weeks ago. The hall unit JCD leaders then caught Jahir, a JCD activist of the hall, and forced him to return the phone.

Campus sources said the muggers are active in Mall Chattar, Jahurul Haque Hall gate, Milon Chattar, near Kazi Nazrul Islam's mazar, TSC and Doel Chattar, Central Shaheed Minar, Shibbari, DMCH, Fuller Road and Kalabhaban areas.

The roads in front of SM Hall, Shahidullah Hall, Ekushey Hall and Fazlul Haque Hall are also known as mugging spots, they said.