At least 13 people including a local arbiter have been arrested, reportedly for attacking policemen in a village clash in Araihazar, Narayanganj.
The arrests were made on Monday based on a case filed by Araihazar police station Sub-inspector Polash Kanti Rai, confirmed Araihazar Police OC Nazrul Islam.
At least, 300-400 unnamed people of Khagkanda union are accused in the case for physically assaulting policemen, the case statement says.
The arrested are, Tofazzal Hossain, 47, a local Awami League leader, Lokman, 45, Khokon, 50, Shahin, 20, Piyarish, 23, Moqbul, 49, Giasuddin, 32, Mosharrof, 32, Naim, 20, Jakaria, 42, Ismail, 25, Abu Taher, 35, and Hazrat Ali, 40.
According to the case statement, followers of UP member Loukman Hossain and local influential Julhaz, were involved in a longstanding dispute.
When both parties blamed each other in a recent incident of gang-rape, a brutal clash broke out on Sunday that injured 25 people, including policemen, and 15 houses were looted.
Tipped off, when policemen from Araihazar police station and Gopaldi police outpost went to the spot to calm down the situation, hundreds of armed people of both parties attacked the police, said Inspector Showkat Ali.
“The attackers assaulted us with local weapons and we had to fire 32 bullet rounds to bring the situation under control. At least 25 policemen were injured in the clash,” added the official.
“After police filed the case, another clash broke out on Monday and we had to deploy additional police forces to calm the situation down. However, the situation is now under control,” said Araihazar Police OC Nazrul Islam.
