A suspect in a schoolgirl rape case has escaped while handcuffed after attacking police in Rowmari upazila of Kurigram.
Sub-Inspector (SI) Awal Hossain of Rowmari police station was injured in the incident and is currently undergoing treatment at Rowmari Health Complex.
The escape took place around 10pm on Monday in Dhanarchar Charergram, Ward No. 4 of Jadurchar union.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mominul Islam of Rowmari Circle and local Union Parishad (UP) member Abdul Baten confirmed the incident.
The fugitive, Shahnewaz Abir Raju, 30, a resident of Kashiabari village in Jadurchar union, is accused of raping a disabled schoolgirl and drug dealing. He is also known for intimidating locals, including the victim's family, by brandishing weapons.
According to police and local sources, Raju allegedly raped the schoolgirl on February 17. After the incident, he fled the village and took refuge at his aunt Shirina Akhter’s house in Dhanarchar Charergram.
Following a complaint from the victim’s family, a three-member police team, led by SI Awal Hossain, raided the house on Monday night.
During the raid, Raju was arrested with several pieces of Yaba. However, as police attempted to take him into custody, his mother Abeda Akhter Razia, 48, and cousin Runa Akhter, 23, attacked the officers, allowing Raju to escape while still in handcuffs.
Upon receiving the news, additional police rushed to the scene and rescued SI Awal.
Raju’s mother and cousin were arrested on charges of assaulting police officers.
During a search, police recovered a local machete (Ramda) from the house.
Local UP member Abdul Baten confirmed the attack, saying: “The police conducted a raid on Monday night, but the accused Raju managed to escape after attacking the officers.”
Rowmari Health Complex Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Nabiul Islam said the injured policeman is receiving treatment, but his condition is not serious.
Efforts to reach Rowmari police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Lutfar Rahman for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls on Monday night or Tuesday morning.
ASP Mominul Islam said: “I cannot provide details as I am engaged in official duties, but I have learned that the policeman was bitten and injured. He is undergoing treatment.”
Meanwhile, Inspector (Investigation) Nanda Lal Chowdhury said that a case is being processed against Raju for rape, assaulting police officers, and obstructing government work.