Hathazari OC withdrawn after clash

The officer-in-charge (OC) of Hathazari Model Police Station in Chattogram, Abu Kawser Mahmud, has been withdrawn a day after clashes broke out between two groups over an offensive Facebook post. He was removed from duty around 11pm on Sunday (September 7).

Inspector (Investigation) Mostaq Ahmed has been given charge of the station in his place.

The matter was confirmed by Additional Superintendent of Police (Hathazari Circle) Kazi Tarek Aziz.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the authorities of Darul Uloom Muinul Islam Hathazari Madrasa demanded his withdrawal at a press conference, accusing him of remaining silent during an attack on madrasa students. Later at night, students staged protests with the same demand.

According to eyewitnesses and police sources, on Saturday morning (September 6), a young man named Arian Ibrahim posted a video on Facebook making offensive gestures in front of Al-Jamiatul Ahlia Darul Uloom Muinul Islam (Hathazari Madrasa). The post sparked outrage and anger among the Qawmi community. Around 7:30pm, police from Fatikchhari Police Station arrested Arian Ibrahim from the municipal headquarters. He is the son of Muhammad Musa of Ward-3 under Hathazari municipality. After his arrest, he released a video message apologising for his actions.

Following the incident, madrasa students and locals staged protests in the Hathazari municipal area from the afternoon. Demonstrators burned tyres at the municipal roundabout. Clashes then erupted between madrasa students and Sunni adherents, leaving more than a hundred people injured.

Later at night, the upazila administration imposed Section 144 in Hathazari to prevent further unrest. According to an order signed by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Muhammad Abdullah Al Mumin, the restrictions were imposed from Mirerhat to the Eleven Mile substation, and from the upazila gate to the Agricultural Training Institute in Hathazari, covering adjacent areas. The order came into effect from 10pm Saturday until 3pm Sunday.