They blamed the management of the complex for not taking proper security measures.

Managing Director of Mascot Plaza Ziaul Haq has to take the responsibility as he was too careless in setting up proper security measures inside the shopping complex, said a statement signed by President of Mascot Plaza Shop Owners and Merchants Welfare Association ATKM Azmal.

The SMS Security Company that was given the charge of the security of the complex did not have any valid documents from the authorities concerned, it said, adding that Ziaul Haq even failed to provide the shop owners with photos and bio-data of the two security guards who went 'missing' after the massive heist.

The security alarm inside the complex was also turned off when the incident took place, it said.

The shop owners demanded satisfactory compensation from the shopping complex authority and immediate measures against the SMS Security Company.

When contacted, Ziaul Haq, however, termed the allegations 'baseless'.

Meanwhile, the shop owners threatened to lay siege to Uttara Police Station if the law enforcers fail to take necessary steps to recover the looted valuables and arrest the criminals within 48 hours from yesterday.

The association members said the police filed a stealing case although the shop owners requested to file a robbery case after the Wednesday's incident.

President of Bangladesh Jewellery Samity MA Wadud Khan has alleged that some influential people of the shopping complex authorities, who have possible link with the incident, are making it difficult to arrest the criminals.

The two security guards who were drugged by the burglars were placed on a seven-day remand for interrogation yesterday and the case was transferred to the Detective Branch of police.