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An angry mob vandalized and set fire to a restaurant at Gaibandha Sadar upazila on Wednesday following an alleged attempted rape of a six-year-old child at the eatery.
Police rescued and detained a restaurant employee, identified as Amir Uddin, 40, from the scene in connection with the incident. Amir, was employed at 'Jaflong Restaurant' near the Bheramara Bridge at Kholahati union.
According to police and local sources, the eatery had reportedly been a hub for illicit activities for a long time. The tension boiled over on Wednesday afternoon when news spread that a worker had attempted to sexually assault a local six-year-old child inside the restaurant. Hundreds of locals gathered, vandalized the establishment, and subsequently set it on fire.
Confirming the incident, Gaibandha Additional Superintendent of Police Sheikh Muttazul Islam said, "An angry crowd set the restaurant on fire over allegations of an attempted rape of a minor. Police managed to rescue the employee, Amir Uddin, from the enraged public and took him into custody."
He added that an investigation is underway, and strict legal action will be taken if the allegations are proven true. Police are also looking into other grievances raised by the local residents against the establishment.
Meanwhile, local resistance prevented emergency services from tackling the blaze.
Rifat Al Mamun, station officer of Gaibandha Fire Service, stated that their team rushed to the spot immediately after receiving the news. However, due to strong obstruction from the agitated crowd, they were forced to turn back without dousing the fire.
TZ
