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As many as 20 houses, including the residence of a journalist, have been attacked and vandalised by alleged drug dealers in Cumilla.
According to Kotwali Model Police Station chief Mohinul Islam, a student was also severely injured in the incident, which took place in Cumilla’s Kasharipatti area around 6:30pm on Tuesday, reports bdnews24.com.
The injured, 18-year-old Rahat Hossain Joy, is currently undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He is the son of Tofayel Ahmed.
According to police reports, locals tried to stop drug peddlers who were using Kasharipatti as a route for narcotics.
Enraged, a group of 25 to 30 people attacked and vandalised 20 houses in the area using local firearms.
Per reports, the perpetrators also attacked the houses of Cumilla Press Club’s Organising Secretary and Daily Ajker Cumilla Editor Imteaz Ahmed Jitu and his younger brother Ishtiaq Ahmed, the Cumilla district correspondent of Somoy TV.
Garages and shops of several other people were also vandalised in the attack.
At this time, when Rahat tried to leave the house, the perpetrators hacked him and fled the scene.
According to locals, the attack was carried out under the leadership of Jummon, a Jubo Dal activist in Cumilla. He is known as one of the followers of the BNP’s Metropolitan Member Secretary Yusuf Mollah Tipu.
Jummon was contacted several times to learn more about the incident. But he did not respond to any phone calls.
Meanwhile, Tipu told bdnews24.com: “Jummon is a Jubo Dal activist. But if he has committed any crime, he will be tried at court.”
According to Rahat’s father, the injured teenager was attacked after the perpetrators ransacked their house. Tofayel has demanded justice over the attack on his son.
OC Mohinul said: “We visited the spot after receiving the news. Army and police have been deployed there. Action will be taken if a complaint is filed.”