Suspected poisoning of water supply at Jungle Salimpur police outpost under investigation

Police have launched an investigation after the water supply at the Alinagar Police Outpost in Chattogram’s Jungle Salimpur was suspected to have been contaminated with poison or another chemical substance.

The incident came to light early today (26 July) when the officer responsible for operating the water pump noticed an unusual smell and excessive foam in the water.

Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel stationed at the outpost were immediately instructed not to use the water.

Chattogram Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Masud Alam told The Business Standard that police recovered an empty bottle suspected to have contained a toxic substance from the area and collected water samples for laboratory testing.

“We cannot confirm yet whether it was poison, pesticide or any other chemical substance. The matter will be clear after receiving the laboratory report,” he said.

Police suspect that someone may have opened a connection point in the water supply line and mixed a substance into it.

However, the exact circumstances behind the incident are still under investigation.

Three constables temporarily fell ill after washing their hands and faces with the water, but their condition later improved and none required hospitalisation, according to the SP.

The Alinagar Police Outpost houses around 300 personnel from the police, BGB and RAB and serves as a key base for operations against land grabbers and criminal groups in Jungle Salimpur.

Police said security measures have been strengthened at the outpost following the incident, while efforts are underway to identify those responsible and determine the motive.