Attempted child rape: Locals clash with police to snatch suspect in Ctg

A number of people, including police personnel and two journalists, were injured as agitated locals intermittently clashed with law enforcers in an attempt to snatch a rape suspect from police custody in Chattogram city’s Bakalia area on Thursday.

The clash erupted following the detention of a man named Monir Hossain, who allegedly attempted to rape a four-year-old girl.

According to locals, the incident took place at Bismillah Mansion in the Chairmanghata area under Bakalia Police Station in the afternoon.

As news of the incident spread in the area, hundreds of local residents took to the streets and surrounded the building to catch the suspect. On information, law enforcers from Bakalia Police Station arrived at the scene and apprehended the man.

Tension escalated after dusk when police tried to escort the detainee out of the building. At that time, an agitated crowd blocked the police vehicle and demanded that the detainee be handed over to them. 

To bring the situation under control, police initially retreated, while additional law enforcers were later deployed.

Around 8pm, police fired tear gas shells and sound grenades, while agitated people hurled brickbats at law enforcers. Police also fired blank shots in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

Around 10:15pm, when the area experienced a power outage, police brought the suspect out of the building and took him away into custody. 

After the suspect was taken away, an angry crowd set fire to a police vehicle. They also staged protests by setting fire to materials on the road.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Assistant Commissioner (Media) Aminur Rashid said tear gas shells, sound grenades and blank shots were fired in self-defence.

Efforts were underway to calm the situation and people were urged not to take the law into their own hands, he added.

CMP Deputy Commissioner Hossain Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan said the child was rescued and sent to the One-Stop Crisis Centre at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

During the clash, local news portal Chattogram Pratidin staff reporters Mamun Abdullah and Nobel Hasan were injured after being hit by sound grenades while carrying out their professional duties.

They were first taken to Chattogram General Hospital and later admitted to CMCH. Several local youths were also injured in the incident.

Chattogram Pratidin Editor Toufiq Iftekhar said Nobel sustained injuries to his hands and legs, while Mamun suffered injuries to his waist and legs.