Bangladesh
Restaurant Raid Police raids on 50 restaurants across the capital, 22 arrested
Own correspondent, Dhaka, March 5, 2024: Police raided around 50 restaurants in Gulshan, Dhanmondi, Mirpur and Uttara of the capital. These shops were raided from Sunday evening to 10 pm. At least 22 people, including managers and workers of some restaurants, were arrested in the operation.
The police say that keeping in mind the safety of the city dwellers, the operation was conducted to see if there are emergency exit stairs and fire fighting system in these restaurant-buildings. Meanwhile, police raided 19 restaurants in Dhanmondi area. Action was taken against these eateries due to lack of emergency exit stairs, blocking of stairs and lack of fire fighting system.
At night, Dhanmondi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Parvez Islam said that 19 people, including the manager of some food shops, were arrested during the raid. Legal action will be taken against them. Some have been released on bail. Police raided around 10 food shops in Gulshan area of the capital. However, no one was arrested.
Gulshan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mazharul Islam said, "We have tried to see whether there is an emergency exit staircase in the building where the food shop is located, and whether anything has been placed on the staircase or not. All but two had beautiful surroundings. We are satisfied with their management."
Meanwhile, the Uttara West Police Station has raided at least 20 restaurants in the Uttara area and arrested three people.
Earlier, 46 people died in a fire in Bailey Road last Thursday night. The seven-storied building named Green Cozy Cottage had a restaurant on all floors except one. No one could get out after the fire because there were no emergency exit stairs in that building.
