18 held for attacking Police station over rumours of accused's death

A case has been filed at Agailjhara police station in Barisal over the attack on the police station, vandalism and attacks on police personnel over rumours of the death of an accused arrested. A total of 43 people have been named in the case, along with more than 200 unidentified people. Police have so far arrested 18 people, including 10 women and 8 men, on charges of involvement in the incident. They were sent to jail through a court on Friday.

Barisal Superintendent of Police AZM Mostafizur Rahman confirmed the matter on Friday (July 10) afternoon. He said that a massive operation is underway to arrest those involved in the attack on the police station. Additional police have been deployed in the area to control the situation. The people involved in the attack are being identified and arrested after verifying CCTV footage and other information. The operation will continue.

Among those arrested are Riaz Fakir's father Siddique Fakir, sister Sharmin Akhter, Gias Fakir, Sabuj Fakir, Mannan Fakir, Rifat Fakir, Naeem Fakir, Habibur Rahman, Raju Howlader, Tahmina Begum, Monowara Begum, Asma Akhter, Momtaz Begum, Jhumur Begum, Nazma Akhter and Tanjila Akhter, a total of 18 people.

Police said that Riaz Fakir of Fulshri village, who is accused in multiple cases including theft and drugs, was arrested in a theft case as part of a regular operation on Wednesday evening. While in police custody, he hit his head on a wall and was injured. He was taken to Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex around 11 pm; when his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital late at night.

Tensions arose among relatives and locals after rumors of Riaz Fakir's death spread on Thursday afternoon. In the afternoon, several hundred people took out a procession and attacked the Agailjhara police station. In addition to vandalizing the police station, the duty officer on duty, ASI Abdul Halim, was severely beaten. When the police resorted to lathicharge to control the situation, a clash broke out between the two sides. At least 12 people, including six policemen, were injured in the incident.

The seriously injured ASI Abdul Halim has been admitted to the Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. The other injured policemen are Constables Limon Mia, Farhad Hossain, Monir Hossain, Al Amin Hossain and Mehedi Hasan. They have received primary treatment.

Agailjhara police station officer-in-charge (OC) Mohammad Masud Khan said that additional police have been deployed at the police station since the attack. After analyzing the video footage, 10 women and 8 men have been arrested. Based on the footage and other information, the operation to identify and arrest others involved in the attack is ongoing.

Police Station SI Omar Faruk filed a case on Thursday night as the plaintiff in the incident. The case has been charged with illegal assembly and rioting, trespassing, vandalism of government property, obstruction of government work, assault on police personnel, grievous bodily harm and intimidation.