One held as Jubo Jamaat activists ‘attack’ on-duty policemen in Gaibandha

Three policemen are receiving treatment at Palashbari Upazila Health Complex following the assault

Police have arrested a suspect in a case filed after the Jamaat-e-Islami’s youth front “Jubo Jamaat” activists allegedly stormed Palashbari Police Station in Gaibandha and attacked policemen including the station incharge.

The incident occurred around 9:30pm on Wednesday, said the Palashbair Police chief Sarwar Alam.

The suspects, however, said they were beaten up when they went there.

Jubo Jamaat leader Mahmudul Hasan Palash came to the police station along with his accomplices to report a dispute over a government-allotted shop at Kalibari Haat in Palashbari Upazila, Sarwar said.

Palash insisted that the police chief locked the shop.

When the officer objected to Palash and pledged actions after an investigation, the Jubo Jamaat member locked into an altercation with him.

At one stage, Palash and his accomplices manhandled the police chief and his subordinates when the latter tried to protect him.

Sarwar said he and some of his colleagues had suffered injuries in the attack.

Seven of them went to Palashbari Upazila Health Complex, where Assistant Sub-Inspector Ruhul Amin and two other policemen, identified with the single names – Rasel and Sanowar, were admitted. The rest received first aid there.

Palash, the finance secretary of the organisation, and eight others were sued, OC Sarwar told reporters on Thursday.

The Jubo Jamaat leader, claiming innocence, said he and his supporters were attacked by police, instead.

"Police are trying to blame us despite beating us."

Palashbari Upazila Jamaat chief Abu Bakkar Siddique said the suspects have not been identified yet.

“If any party member is found involved in the incident after examining CCTV footage, necessary action will be taken,” he said.

Gaibandha Assistant Superintendent of Police ABM Rashidul Bari said efforts are under way to arrest the other suspects.