Police have arrested 11 people, including several individuals linked to the banned Chhatra League, in connection with violence triggered by the alleged rape of a three-and-a-half-year-old girl in Chattogram’s Bakalia area.
The violence also included the torching of a police vehicle and an attack on an additional deputy police commissioner.
Police said the arrests were made during overnight raids on Monday in different areas of the city.
According to law enforcement officials, the arrested individuals were involved not only in the violence but also in a planned attack to beat the accused in the rape case to death. Investigators claimed the plan aimed to damage the image of the government and destabilise law and order.
Bakalia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Solaiman confirmed the arrests, saying they were made after reviewing video footage. He said the detainees attempted to create unrest in the area following the rape incident.
Police and local sources said the alleged rape took place on 21 May in the Chairmanghat area, where a three-and-a-half-year-old girl was reportedly raped by a local decoration worker, Md Monir Hossain. News of the incident spread quickly, triggering widespread anger.
From the afternoon into the night, clashes, brick throwing and vandalism continued in the area. At one stage, a police vehicle was set on fire. The unrest later spread to the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway, where locals blocked the road in protest.
Law enforcement agencies used rubber bullets, sound grenades and tear shells to bring the situation under control.
During the unrest, police rescued the accused Monir Hossain from a mob and took him into custody. Later, police, Detective Branch and RAB launched a joint operation. Suspects were identified using CCTV footage, social media videos and eyewitness accounts.
Police said the 11 arrested face separate charges. Four are accused of setting fire to a police vehicle. Two are accused of directly attacking the additional deputy commissioner. Others face allegations of sabotage and planned attacks.
A senior Chattogram Metropolitan Police official, speaking anonymously, said several of those arrested are directly involved in the banned Chhatra League politics, while others are local youths from different areas.
Police said a separate case was being prepared for Tuesday morning. They are also considering filing charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Investigators said more people may be involved in the violence. Efforts are underway to identify them through further video analysis. Security has been tightened in the affected area and around the victim’s family.
