Radda clinic demolished as land grabbing attempts persist

Radda MCH-FP Center, which has become a reliance for low-income people in Mirpur, began its journey in 1974. Providing various services including maternal and child healthcare, family planning, and immunization, the institution has stood by underprivileged people for over half a century.

Yet, the healthcare center has repeatedly faced attempts at land grabbing. In the latest attack, vandalism, and looting, its Mirpur-1 branch was demolished to the ground. Although 12 people have been arrested, the masterminds remain at large.

However, medical services have not stopped even amid the ruins.

To some, the Radda MCH-FP Center in Dhaka’s Mirpur-1 is a private healthcare center, while to others it is something more than a hospital. To low-income people, it is the “poor people’s hospital” - a place where medical treatment is available even with limited means, parents do not have to return empty-handed when bringing children for vaccination, and care is provided during illness.

Radda MCH-FP Center started its journey at the initiative of Radda Barnen of Swedish Save the Children. The goal of its establishment was to ensure maternal and child healthcare services for underprivileged communities. Over time, that initiative evolved into a broader community healthcare operation.

Throughout its long journey, the institution became a symbol of trust for low-income people in Mirpur. The organization has been providing various services, including maternal health, child health, reproductive health, family planning, and vaccination. Along with medical care, they are also working to deliver healthcare right to people’s doorsteps.

Alongside its main center in Mirpur-10, the organization’s services extend to Mirpur-1, Bauniabad, Uttara, Bhasantek slum, and Old Dhaka. Its three permanent clinics also feature modern diagnostic facilities, including pathology and hematology.

Renowned personalities of the country have also been associated with its governing body at various times. Prominent gynecologist TA Chowdhury, engineer Jamilur Reza Choudhury, and former adviser Kazi Fazlur Rahman have served on its Board of Trustees.

Mahbubur Rahman, president of the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh, serves as the chairman of the Board of Trustees. Tahrunnesa Abdullah, the first Bangladeshi woman to win the Ramon Magsaysay Award, serves as Treasurer. Former senior government officials Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury and Abdul Karim, as well as businessmen ASM Kashem and AK Azad, serve as board members.

The question now arises: despite such a long history, extensive service activities, and public trust, why did the organization’s Mirpur-1 branch repeatedly face land-grabbing attempts?

Police are searching for answers to who was behind this devastation and why a public service institution was razed in this manner. However, investigations are revealing an even older history.

Land grabbing attempts for over 18 years and allegations

According to locals and police investigation sources, the dispute over Radda clinic’s land is not recent. Allegations suggest that an attempt was made to grab the land during the BNP government’s tenure in 2004.

At that time, an association named “Somomona Dokandar Somobay Samity Limited” was formed. Ferdousi Ahmed Mishti, a BNP Member of Parliament from a reserved women’s seat, was the president of that association.

Later, the association reportedly attempted to lease Radda’s land through official government channels. A member of the association, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that in 2006, the land was allocated to the association by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works.

However, when asked to produce related documents, he was unable to show them.

Whether there is a link between these past claims of ownership and allocation and the attack remains a subject of investigation. However, as past events resurface, the long-standing dispute surrounding Radda’s land has come into focus once again.

Allegations of involvement by individuals associated with local BNP politics have surfaced regarding the attack and vandalism. Agamir Somoy obtained information linking several local individuals to gathering attackers, supplying local weapons and equipment, and bringing an excavator.

According to investigating officials, the names of several key individuals emerged during questioning and inquiries in connection with this incident. The main and only named accused in the case filed over the vandalism is Md Hanif Miah, a former member of Shah Ali Police Station BNP. Local political sources indicate he is known as a follower of Mishti.

However, Mishti denied the allegations made against her. She claimed that she was intentionally blamed due to political feuds and internal party grouping and knew nothing about the attack.

Police had arrested 12 people as of Monday afternoon in connection with the vandalism. However, the case’s main accused, Hanif Miah, has not yet been arrested.

Shah Ali Police Station Inspector (Investigation) Md Rajib Hossain told Agamir Somoy, “Efforts to arrest the main accused are ongoing. Alongside the police, various units including SRB and DB are working on the case.”

Healthcare continues amid rubble

Just a day after the attack, workers at Radda were seen continuing to provide medical services among the ruins. On Monday as well, they served patients under the open sky by setting up tables and chairs. Vaccination activities also continued.

For people arriving for treatment, the sight was as much a relief as it was painful. Because many of those whom the institution has served for years cannot afford to go to alternative medical centers.

On Sunday, Monowara Begum came to consult a doctor. However, seeing the crowd gathered to look at the clinic’s destruction, she was turning back. Monowara told Agamir Somoy, “Where will poor people like us go now? This was our poor people’s hospital, and they broke even this.”

Ruhi Akter, a resident of Mirpur-1, brought her six-month-old infant for vaccination. She thought vaccination activities would be halted after the incident. But upon arrival, she saw vaccinations being administered under the sun on tables and chairs.

She said, “This is causing us some difficulty. However, it is very good that they are continuing the campaign even under these circumstances.”

The words of Hafsa Begum, another child’s guardian, also reflected the public’s trust in the institution. She added, “We come here for treatment most of the time. The cost is low here, and they take responsibility when caring for patients.”

These words underscore that the loss at Radda is not merely the loss of a building or structure. Bound up with it are healthcare opportunities for thousands of low-income individuals, child immunizations, and a long-standing relationship of reliance.

ASK condemns attack, demands neutral investigation

Ain o Salish Centre (ASK) expressed strong condemnation and concern over the attack and destruction at Radda. In a statement issued on Monday, the organization demanded that those involved in the attack, as well as the planners, masterminds, and patrons, be identified and brought to justice.

At the same time, the organization expressed concern over the role of law enforcement agencies during the incident. They called for an independent investigation.

ASK’s statement noted, “The Mirpur incident is not merely a matter of destroying a healthcare center; it is directly linked to the rule of law, citizen security, and state accountability. Therefore, ensuring visible accountability alongside a neutral investigation is essential.”

Jamaat to provide Tk 50 lakh for re-establishment

Jamaat-e-Islami announced an initial grant of Tk 50 lakh to re-establish the destroyed healthcare center. Ameer Shafiqur Rahman made the announcement on Monday after inspecting the damaged healthcare center. He said beyond the initial assistance, more support would be provided if needed to ensure healthcare services for the area’s residents.

Expressing concern over the incident, Shafiqur demanded that those involved be brought to justice regardless of their political identity. He alleged that without the shelter and patronage of the ruling party, no one would have had the courage to commit such a major misdeed.

He also called on the government to take initiatives to stop mob violence across the country.