18 arrested, case filed after mob attacks Barishal police station

Police have arrested 18 people over an attack on Agailjhara Police Station following rumours that a theft suspect had died in custody.

Barishal Superintendent of Police (SP) AZM Mostafizur Rahman said a case was filed against 43 named individuals and more than 200 unidentified people. Overnight raids continued till Friday morning.

“We are conducting drives to arrest the remaining accused. Additional police have been deployed to maintain law and order,” he said.

Police said Riaz Fakir, an accused in multiple cases, was arrested on Wednesday in a theft case. CCTV footage showed him repeatedly hitting his head while in the lock-up. He was later admitted to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.

When rumours of his death spread on Thursday afternoon, hundreds of people armed with sticks attacked the police station and assaulted duty officer Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Abdul Halim. Police charged batons to disperse the crowd.