Chattogram: At least four individuals, including a police officer and two journalists, sustained injuries when police fired blank shots to disperse a crowd attempting to seize a man accused of attempted rape in Chattogram city.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the incident occurred in the Chairmanghata area of Bakalia. Monir Hossain, 35, an employee at a local decoration shop, allegedly tried to rape a four-year-old girl inside the shop. As the news spread, locals gathered in protest during the evening hours.
Police intervened and detained the suspect. However, while transporting him to the police station, an agitated crowd obstructed the police vehicle, demanding custody of the accused. The demonstrators also set a police vehicle on fire, resulting in significant damage.
To control the escalating situation, police resorted to firing blank shots. This action resulted in injuries to four individuals, including journalists Mamun Abdullah and Nobel Hasan, and a police constable. The journalists were reportedly hit by bullets while livestreaming the event on Facebook, with Mamun sustaining injuries to his waist and Nobel to his hand and leg.
Both journalists were initially treated at Chattogram General Hospital before being transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for further medical care.
Officer-in-Charge of Bakalia Police Station, Mohammad Solaiman, confirmed the situation was stabilized by 11:30 pm, and the suspect was taken into police custody. The child involved was sent for a medical examination.