LALMONIRHAT, June 16: The police in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat district recovered the sack-bound, buried body of a seven-year-old girl from a maize field on Tuesday morning, triggering violent clashes between locals and law enforcement agency members after the suspected murderer was arrested. The incident left at least 18 injured.
The victim, identified as Nandini Rani, a Class I student at a local BRAC pre-primary school and daughter of farmer Nalni Barman of Folimari village under Bhelabari Union, had been reported missing since Monday afternoon. Her body was discovered buried beneath the soil of a maize field in the same village in the early hours of Tuesday.
Following an initial investigation, Aditmari Police identified Bidhan, 19, a familial acquaintance of the child, referred to locally as her “uncle,” as the primary suspect and took him to their custody.
As officers attempted to transport Bidhan to the police station, a crowd of enraged locals blocked the convoy and attempted to seize the suspect. The mob subsequently set fire to the accused’s residence before law enforcement could restore order.
The situation escalated further when Lalmonirhat’s District Commissioner (DC), Superintendent of Police (SP), and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) arrived at the scene alongside Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel and additional police units to restore calm.
Upon their departure with the suspect, the crowd renewed its attack, pelting the official motorcade with bricks and stones.
Six government vehicles, including those used by the DC, SP, and UNO, were extensively damaged. At least 18 persons, including several police officers, were injured in the violence. Police deployed sound grenades in an attempt to disperse the crowd. District Commissioner and District Magistrate Md. Rashedul Haq Prodhan confirmed the events.
