A case has been filed over the shooting of a 12-year-old schoolboy in Cumilla city’s Katabil area.
The case was lodged late Thursday night at Kotwali Model Police Station by Yunus Miah, father of injured student Ethan Ahmed Prem.
Six individuals have been named in the complaint, while a total of 12 people have been accused, police said.
Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Touhidul Anwar confirmed the matter on Friday, adding that one suspect has been detained and drives are ongoing to arrest others.
Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Moniruzzaman visited the Katabil area on Friday and spoke with the victim’s family.
He assured that those involved in the attack would be brought to justice.
“We are making all-out efforts to ensure public safety. Those involved in this incident will be tracked down and brought under the law,” he told reporters, adding that continuous operations have been directed.
Protests were staged in the area on Friday afternoon, with separate human chains organised by the district and city units of the National Citizen Party and the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, demanding swift arrests and exemplary punishment.
Meanwhile, Ethan Ahmed is undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, but doctors have so far been unable to extract the bullet from his body.
Speaking over the phone, the victim’s father said the bullet could not be removed at Cumilla Medical College Hospital due to risk factors, prompting his transfer to Dhaka later on Friday.
Although taken to the operating theatre in Dhaka, the bullet has still not been removed. Doctors said bleeding from the injury site continues and blood transfusion is ongoing, with a senior surgeon expected to perform the procedure.
“My only son was returning home during the lunch break when he was shot. I cannot imagine life without him,” said his mother, Sonia Akter, adding that he occasionally opens his eyes but remains in critical condition.
Cumilla Medical College Hospital Acting Director Md Shahjahan said the bullet had reached the boy’s lungs, making the surgery highly risky, which led to his referral to Dhaka for advanced treatment.
According to police and eyewitnesses, the incident occurred on Thursday afternoon during a citizens’ committee-organised anti-drug human chain in Katabil, when a group of attackers allegedly launched an assault using sharp weapons and opened fire, injuring at least seven people.
Ethan was first taken to Cumilla Medical College Hospital before being shifted to Dhaka for further treatment.
On Thursday night, Cumilla-6 lawmaker Monirul Haque Chowdhury visited the Katabil area along with local BNP leaders.
An emergency meeting was later held with law enforcement agencies, district administration officials and political leaders over the incident.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, the MP said he had met the family of the injured student and stressed that authorities must take responsibility for ensuring swift action against those involved in the attack.
