Bandarban ‘BCL men’ beat up cops over trivial issue

Four on-duty police constables were beaten up allegedly by Bangladesh Chhatra League activists in Bandarban town following an altercation over a trivial matter last night.

The victims -- Hasan Al Mamun, 20, Nazmul Habib, 21, Hasan Md Shahriar, 20, and Shakhawat Hossain, 20, -- are being treated at Bandarban Sadar Hospital now, reports our local correspondent quoting Superintendent of the district police Sanjit Kumar Roy.

The attackers are believed to be all BCL activists, the SP said.

“We just suggested three reckless motorcyclists to drive slowly. But 15 to 20 minutes later, 30-35 young men gathered and started beating us with sticks when we were on duty in Bandarban Rajar Math area around 8:00 pm on Friday,” one of the victims, Shakhawat, said.

Meanwhile, police arrested two persons- Ariful Haque, and Saifuddin Munna-in this connection, the police official said.

Contacted, Md Ismile, BCL vice president of Bandarban unit, said “We heard the attackers are supporters of BCL.” He termed the incident “unprecedented.”

“We will not spare anybody even if the attackers are BCL men,” said Secretary of Bandarban district unit AL.

A case was filed in this connection. Police are conducting drives to arrest others who attacked the policemen, he said.