58 sued over clashes with police in Ctg’s Bakalia

A case has been filed over clashes between police and locals in the Chairmanghata area of Chattogram’s Bakalia following the detention of a man accused of raping a three-and-a-half-year-old child.

Police named 58 individuals in the case and listed another 400-500 unidentified people as accused over allegations of attacking police, torching a vehicle, and engaging in violence. The case was filed around 9pm today (26 May) by Sub-Inspector Akbar Hossain of Bakalia Model Police Station.

Officer-in-Charge of Bakalia Police Station, Md Solaiman, told The Business Standard that those involved in the violence were identified through video footage and made accused in the case. Police have so far arrested 11 people, including activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League, in connection with the incident. They were detained during raids conducted in different parts of the city yesterday.

According to police, the arrested individuals were not only involved in the violence but had also planned to beat the rape accused to death “to embarrass the government and destabilise the law and order situation.” Investigating officials claimed police intervention foiled that plan.

The unrest began on 21 May after allegations surfaced against local decoration worker Md Monir Hossain for raping the child. Locals demanded that police hand the accused over to the crowd.

At one stage, clashes broke out, turning the entire area volatile. From the afternoon until late at night, the area witnessed chases and counter-chases, brick-batting, vandalism, and attacks on law enforcers. A police vehicle was also set on fire.

The tension in Bakalia’s Chairmanghata area later spread to the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway, where locals staged a blockade and demonstrations.

To bring the situation under control, law enforcement agencies fired rubber bullets, sound grenades, and tear gas shells.

Police rescued the accused, Monir Hossain, from the angry crowd and took him into custody. Later that night, police, detective branch personnel, and members of the Rapid Action Battalion launched a joint drive.

Suspects were identified based on CCTV footage, videos circulated on social media, and eyewitness accounts. During coordinated raids across different parts of the city yesterday, a total of 11 people were arrested.