Two convicts whisked away, 20 injured in attack on police station in Lalmonirhat

Two convicts have been forcibly taken from police custody after a mob stormed the Patgram Police Station in Lalmonirhat, leaving at least 20 people injured.

The incident occurred around 10:30pm on Wednesday, prompting authorities to deploy the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) outside the station, according to Patgram police chief Mizanur Rahman.

The two men who were snatched away are Belal Hossain, 33, and Sohel Rana Chopal, 35. Both are reported to be affiliated with the BNP’s volunteer wing, the Swechchhasebak Dal.

The injured were admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital and other local clinics, but their identities had not been confirmed.

Uttam Kumar Das, Patgram Upazila’s executive officer, said the two men were detained during a mobile court drive at Sreyer Bazar on the Burimari-Rangpur highway on allegations of extorting money from trucks transporting stone and sand.

Officers reportedly seized over Tk 100,000 in extorted cash from the duo.

They were subsequently sentenced to one month in jail each and handed over to police, Uttam said.

As news of the sentencing spread, a group of people, many reportedly linked to the BNP, gathered in front of Patgram Police Station that night, according to Officer Mizanur.

“A heated argument soon escalated into scuffles and back-and-forth chases,” Mizanur said.

“Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets in self-defence. At one point, the attackers broke into the station, vandalised property, and took away the two detainees.”

At least seven police personnel were injured and taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, he said.

Additional police units and BGB personnel were deployed to regain control of the situation.

Waliur Rahman Sohel, general secretary of the Patgram unit of the BNP, denied any party involvement in the attack or the spiriting away of the convicts.

Rangpur Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Aminul Islam visited the scene on Thursday morning and said no one involved in the attack would be spared.

“We will identify the perpetrators from CCTV footage and bring them to justice.”

Asked whether the attack had any political backing, the DIG said, “A criminal cannot be defined by political affiliation.”