Case filed over attempted child rape in Ctg; 4 arrested for attacking police, torching vehicle

A case has been filed over the alleged attempted rape of a four-year-old child in Bakalia area of Chattogram, while police have arrested four people in connection with attacks on law enforcers following a night of violent clashes.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Bakalia Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Solaiman said, “The child’s father filed the case this morning. The accused, identified as Monir, will be produced before the court today.”

Regarding the retaliation against law enforcers, the OC said, “Police have filed a separate case for obstructing government duty, vandalism, and the torching of a police vehicle. So far, four people have been detained based on CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts.”

“Drives are underway to identify and arrest others involved,” he added.

Police said the situation in the area is now under control, with additional law enforcement deployed to prevent further unrest.

How the unrest unfolded

The incident began around 5pm yesterday (21 May) at Abu Jafar Road in the Chairmanghata area under Ward 19 of Bakalia Police Station.

According to police and local sources, an employee of a local decoration shop allegedly lured the four-year-old girl into the establishment and attempted to assault her.

As news of the incident spread, outraged residents surrounded the building where the suspect was hiding. Bakalia police and senior officials of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) rushed to the scene, successfully rescued the child, and took the suspect into custody.

However, the situation took a violent turn when police attempted to transport the accused. Hundreds of locals blocked the police vehicle, demanding that the suspect be handed over to them for mob justice.

By 10pm, the standoff escalated into a full-blown clash as the agitated mob tried to snatch the accused from the police van. Law enforcers resorted to using baton charges, tear gas shells, and sound grenades to disperse the crowd.

Protesters hurled brickbats at law enforcers and set fire to a police van.

During the chaos, dozens of people, including law enforcers and two journalists, were injured.

Order was restored around 1:30am today after more than 1,000 police personnel, alongside five platoons of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Armed Police Battalion (APBN), were deployed to the area.

CMP Deputy Commissioner (South) Hossain Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan assured that the situation is now fully under control and additional forces remain deployed to avert further untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain visited the victim at the CMCH One-Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) and promised strict legal action. “The highest punishment for the perpetrator will be ensured. No leniency will be given,” the mayor said.