Six individuals have been arrested in connection with the assault and harassment of a journalist and two others in Bogura. The arrests were made by the Bogura District Detective Branch (DB) during a special operation. Two Burmese knives, two motorcycles, and three mobile phones were recovered from the detainees. The district police confirmed the details around 12:30 PM on Monday.
On April 6, a group of assailants physically assaulted and harassed journalist Khorshed Alam, freelance journalist Asafudoula Nayon, and Toufikul Islam in front of the ‘Fresh Juice Bar’ at Jailkhana More in Bogura city.
Following the incident, Bogura District Police Superintendent Md. Zedan Al Musa, PPM, issued an overall directive, and DB Bogura’s Officer-in-Charge Md. Ikbal Bahar led a team to conduct the operation based on technical and intelligence information.
As part of the operation, the main suspect, Md. Rakibul Islam Rakib (22), was arrested around 11:45 AM from the Banani area of Shahjahanpur police jurisdiction. Based on his information, five more accomplices were apprehended. The arrested individuals are: Md. Rakibul Islam Rakib (22) from Gondogram Southpara, Md. Habibur Rahman Rocky (25) from Gondogram Northpara, Md. Tarikul Islam (22) from Gondogram Newpara, Md. Jisan Khan (21), Md. Jihad (20) from Gondogram Sariakandi Para, and Md. Tutul (20) from Malatiganj Staff Quarter, Battola area.
Police reports indicate that Rakibul Islam Rakib has a history of involvement in a murder case and a drug case. Habibur Rahman Rocky has six pending cases against him, including charges of weapons possession, attempted robbery, attempted murder, and drug-related offenses. Local sources have confirmed that some of the arrested individuals were involved with banned student organization leaders and acted as accomplice thugs.
A case under the Arms Act has been filed against the arrested individuals at Shahjahanpur Police Station, and legal action for the assault incident is underway at Bogura Sadar Police Station. The police also confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fugitives involved in the case.
Abdul Momin, Bogura Correspondent
LND/BG
