Over 100 villagers surrounded Kumarkhali Police Station in Kushtia for nearly an hour on Wednesday, protesting the arrest of three women in connection with an attack on another woman accused of theft.
A chase and counter-chase broke out between police and locals as the latter attempted to snatch the arrestees from custody. Despite the chaos, law enforcers eventually produced the accused before a court under tight security.
According to villagers gathered at the police station, the complainant had allegedly stolen beef from a refrigerator and cash from a neighbour’s house on Monday afternoon. Family members of the victim reportedly caught her red-handed, beat her severely, and shaved her head.
Later that night, a village arbitration was held, where she was fined after being declared guilty. Rejecting the decision, the woman filed a case the next day, accusing seven village women. Police arrested three of them on Wednesday morning.
News of the arrests spread quickly, prompting villagers to storm the police station around 11 am, demanding the detainees’ release.
Kumarkhali Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Solaiman Sheikh said the accused were sent to court following legal procedures despite resistance from villagers. He confirmed that the situation was now under control.