At least 20 people, including Superintendent of Police (SP) and an Officer-in-Charge (OC), were injured in Lalmonirhat on Tuesday when angry villagers clashed with police in Aditmari upazila over the alleged rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl.
The confrontation broke out after law enforcers refused demands from local residents to hand over the prime suspect. During the violence, seven vehicles were vandalised.
The victim, Nandini Kanto Roy, daughter of Nalini Kanto of Folimari village under Bhelabari union, was found dead in a maize field on Tuesday morning, a day after she had gone missing from her home on Monday afternoon.
Residents later noticed a patch of freshly dug soil in a nearby maize field. After digging the area, they discovered the child’s body concealed inside a sack.
Police recovered the body after being informed and sent it to the morgue of Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital for an autopsy.
Suspicion soon centred on Bidhan Chandra Roy, 22, son of Ranjit Kumar Roy of the same village, after a resident reportedly saw him returning from the maize field with a spade on Monday evening.
Enraged villagers later attacked and vandalised Bidhan’s house while he was inside. Police officers present at the scene intervened and took him into custody.
Local residents, however, demanded that the suspect be handed over to them for immediate punishment. When police refused, protesters surrounded the law enforcers and launched attacks on them.
The situation quickly escalated into a violent confrontation, with clashes, chases and counter-chases continuing for nearly three hours and leaving the area in turmoil.
Upon receiving the information, Lalmonirhat Superintendent of Police Md Ashaduszaman rushed to the scene. He, along with members of the crime scene investigation unit, was later surrounded by angry residents.
Additional police personnel from Sadar and Kaliganj police stations, the Detective Branch, two Fire Service units and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members were deployed to the area, but they too came under siege by protesters.
Deputy Commissioner Md Rashedul Hoque Prodhan, BGB-15 Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mehedi Imam and other district and upazila officials subsequently arrived at the scene, only to find themselves encircled by the crowd.
According to police, the officials remained stranded for nearly three hours as protesters repeatedly attacked them.
Law enforcers eventually fired three rounds of sound grenades to disperse the crowd and rescue the officials.
The clashes left at least 20 people injured, including SP Md Ashaduszaman and Aditmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nazmul Haque.
Seven vehicles, including the Deputy Commissioner’s official vehicle, were also vandalised during the violence.
According to locals, the suspect lured the victim to the field where he allegedly raped and murdered her before attempting to hide the body.
“We had to deploy three rounds of sound grenades to restore order. Several police personnel were injured, and a number of government vehicles were damaged during the violence,” SP Md Ashaduszaman said.
A case has been filed in connection with Nandini’s killing, and police have arrested Bidhan Chandra Roy and his father over the incident, he said.
The SP added that another case would be lodged for obstructing government officials from carrying out their duties. He also confirmed that the Officer-in-Charge of Aditmari Police Station had been withdrawn following the incident.
Deputy Commissioner Md Rashedul Hoque Prodhan said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted into the incident.
“Legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation, and justice will be ensured for the victim,” he said.
