1 killed as locals clash with cops in N’ganj

A man was killed and 16 were injured when locals clashed with police and snatched two accused in a case from their custody in Narayanganj Bandar upazila last night.

The deceased was identified as Ashiqur Rahman Babul, 25, son of late Shahidul Islam of Chanpur area of Madanpur union, reports our Narayanganj correspondent.

Locals claimed that Babul was killed in police firing while police denied the allegation.

The incident took place around 8:30pm yesterday when a police team went to Chanpur area and arrested two accused in a case filed over a clash on November 18 last year.

The accused -- Dipu and Sujan – are the supporters of influential local Union Parishad member Khalilur Rahman.

Soon after the arrest, their associates along with locals, armed with locally-made weapons, snatched the two arrestees from the law enforcers, prompting a clash, said Azharul Islam, officer-in-charge of Bandar Police Station.

The scenario turned violent and police fired blank shots to disperse the angry mob, the OC added.

Transport movement on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway came to a halt for around one and half hour due to the clash.

At least 17 people were injured during the incident, including four police officials, OC Azharul Islam said.

Police later rescued the injured people and took them to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where Babul succumbed later.

Two persons -- Rifat and Nur Nabi -- were held in connection with the incident.

A case has been filed in this connection with the police station.

WHAT HAPPENED ON NOVEMBER 18?

On that day, UP member Khalilur was attacked and injured by rivals over establishing supremacy in the area.

Khalilur’s supporters later attacked houses of the attackers and blockaded Dhaka-Chattogram highway.

Police fired tear-gas shells at the agitating men to disperse them, ensuing a clash in which 20 people, including five policemen, were injured.