At least 12 people, including six police members, were injured after locals attacked Agailjhara Police Station in Barishal following a rumour that an accused had died in custody.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when relatives of the accused, along with local residents, gathered at the station and allegedly launched an attack.
Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to prevent further unrest.
Police said Riaz Fakir, an accused in several cases, was arrested on Wednesday evening in a theft case during a regular drive.
He was kept in the police station’s lock-up after his arrest.
According to Agailjhara police, Riaz later became ill after repeatedly hitting his head against a surface inside the lock-up.
He was initially taken to Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex around 11pm and was later shifted to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital as his condition worsened.
The situation turned volatile on Thursday afternoon after a rumour spread in the area that Riaz had died.
Soon afterwards, a crowd of more than a hundred people marched towards the police station and allegedly attacked the premises.
During the incident, Duty Officer Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Abdul Halim was beaten by the attackers.
Police then used batons to disperse the crowd, triggering a clash between law enforcers and the protesters.
ASI Abdul Halim sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
Five other police personnel-constables Limon Mia, Farhad Hossain, Monir Hossain, Al Amin Hossain and Mehedi Hasan- were also injured.
Six locals were injured during the clash, including Riaz’s mother Nasrin Begum, 50, sister Sharmin Akter, 28, and Momtaz Begum, 47.
Some of the injured were receiving treatment at Agailjhara Upazila Health Complex, while others were treated at different locations, according to local sources.
Riaz’s parents, Nasrin Begum and Siddiq Fakir, alleged that police had detained their son without proper cause and subjected him to physical abuse.
They claimed that Riaz was undergoing treatment at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital until Thursday evening.
Agailjhara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Masud Khan, however, rejected the allegation, saying Riaz was arrested in connection with a theft case and injured himself while in custody.
“After the incident, a group of people deliberately attacked the police station and injured several police members,” the OC said, adding that legal action was being taken against those involved.
Police have increased security around the station and are preparing to file a case over the attack, he added.
