The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Patiya Police Station, Abu Zayed Md Nazmun Noor, was withdrawn on Wednesday night following protests by the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
Chattogram District Superintendent of Police (SP) Saiful Islam Santu confirmed the development, stating that OC Nazmun Noor had been withdrawn and attached to the office of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Chattogram Range.
Earlier in the day, activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and NCP blocking different roads in the city staged demonstration for nine hours demanding the OC’s withdrawal.
They also issued an ultimatum demanding the OC’s removal by 10am Thursday.
Earlier, on Tuesday night around 9pm, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement activists detained a man named Dipankar Dey (29), identified as a Chhatra League member, in front of the Central Shaheed Minar in Patiya.
He was taken to the police station, but police initially refused to arrest him since no formal complaint had been lodged against him. As the situation intensified, he was eventually taken into police custody.
Activists of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement alleged that although Dipankar was associated with the banned Chhatra League, police refused to file a case against him.
This led to a confrontation between the protesters and the police, during which law enforcement reportedly baton-charged the activists.
The man was brought into the police station while being assaulted during the protest march. He was accused of being affiliated with the banned Chhatra League.
A near-mob situation unfolded inside the station during the incident.