Around 4000 people have been fleeing from their homes at five villages in Sherpur’s Nalitabari Upazila for 16 days, fearing arrest over two cases – one under narcotics act and another for obstructing police duty.
Earlier on March 25, locals snatched an alleged drugs dealer at the Upazila’s Nanni Bazar, beating up five police men. Police then filed the cases against 250-300 people, naming none of them.
People of Dekrapara, Bajupara, Nayapara, Bandhdharha and Baigarpara villages said they have been fleeing from their homes as police are detaining even those who were not involved in the attack on police. They said earlier on Sunday night, police detained innocent HSC examinee Abdul Kadir and so he could not sit for the exams on Monday.
The police released him in the end though, but that is only after the scheduled time for his Monday exams ended, said the villagers. Visually-impaired Abdul Awal, son of Abdul Majid of Nayapara village, was not even spared of police arrest though the police later freed him, they added.
Police so far detained 13 and released three of them.
Nanni Bazar Babsayee Samity President Mahmud said, “It is unfortunate that the police have been attacked. We want those who attacked the police to be punished. But the innocent must not be harassed.”
Detective Branch of Police’s Officer-in-Charge Nazrul Islam, however, brushed aside the allegation and said that they have not yet harassed any innocent person. Only the houses of those facing allegations are being raided.
Nalitabari police station’s Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam declined any comment on this, saying, “We are not handling this issue. It is being handled by the district police office.”