A leader of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal was allegedly beaten and injured inside Kotwali Police Station in Rangpur city on Wednesday night, prompting the withdrawal of four police officers and the formation of an investigation committee.
The incident reportedly occurred around 10:30pm at the police station. The victim, Rakibul Islam Rakib, is the member secretary of the Rangpur Sadar Upazila unit of the Swechchhasebak Dal.
According to Rakib and eyewitness accounts, a young couple-previously reported missing in a general diary (GD) filed by their families-was brought to the police station earlier in the evening. Leaders of the Swechchhasebak Dal later went there at the request of the families to help resolve the matter.
Rakib alleged that he saw police assaulting the couple and was attacked when he protested and tried to call a party leader. He claimed the officer-in-charge, a sub-inspector and other officers beat him inside the station, leaving him injured and bleeding, and also seized his mobile phones.
Following the incident, local leaders and members of BNP and its associate bodies gathered outside the police station, briefly escalating tensions before the gate was closed. Rakib later appeared before journalists from inside the premises with visible injuries and swelling around one eye.
He was later taken to the hospital for treatment by BNP leaders, including Rangpur Metropolitan BNP Convener Shamsuzzaman Samu. The couple was released around 11:30pm.
Rangpur district Swechchhasebak Dal Member Secretary Zakaria Islam Jim condemned the incident and warned of a protest if action was not taken within 24 hours.
Kotwali Police Station OC Azad Rahman denied the allegations, saying no assault took place and that police intervened only to prevent a dispute between the families of the couple.
Meanwhile, Rangpur Metropolitan Police withdrew the OC and three officers and attached them to police lines pending investigation. A three-member probe committee has been formed, said Police Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mabud.
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