Staff Reporter :At least two persons were killed and 50 others received injuries when police opened fire to disperse a procession of agitated villagers at Hamidpur village under Kalihati upzila in Tangail on Friday. Of the injured, condition of six bullet hurt villagers was stated to be critical. The dead were identified as Kabir Hossain Shameem and Mohammad Faruq hailed from Ghatail and Kalihati areas. Of them, Shameem succumbed to his injuries at Tangail Medical College and Hospital while Faruq died at Kalihati Health Complex.Police arrested five persons from the spot. On the other hand, the angry mob put blockade on Dhaka-Tangail highway causing huge tailback till the time of filing this report at 7:45 pm yesterday.When contacted, Acting Superintendent of Police of Tangail Sanjoy Sarkar admitted the killing of two persons in the clash. But he refused to tell whether they were killed in police firing. According to sources, the people were locked in a fierce clash with the law enforcers when police intercepted a procession of villagers that was brought out protesting alleged rape incident of a woman in front of her son at Hamidpur village on September 15. Following the denial, the villagers arranged a demonstration at Kalihati bus stand after Juma Prayers. They brick-bated police when the law enforcers intercepted them. At one stage of agitation, the angry people severely beat a policeman. They also vandalized a number of shops and other business establishments in the area. Later, a huge contingent of police equipped with riot gear rushed to the spot. Police charged baton indiscriminately, lobbed tear gas canisters and fire bullets from shotguns to disperse the mob. About six persons including a woman received bullet wound at the time. The injured were admitted to Kalihati Health Complex and Tangail Medical College and Hospital.The agitated locals continued clash with the police and chase-counter chase went on till the late evening. The mob set fire on tires in the street and set up barricade with bamboos, wood and bricks.Resident Medical Officer of Tangail Medical College and Hospital Dr Ashraf Ali said: “Four bullet hurt persons were brought to the hospital. Of them, two were sent to Dhaka when their condition deteriorated.” Local sources said, Al-Amin, 17, a labourer, made an extramarital relationship with Hosne Ara, wife of Rafiqul Islam Roma of Satutia area under Kalihati upzila. Al-Amin and Hosne Ara fled away a few months ago to build a separate life. Later, Hosne Ara was brought back by her family members. She again made the attempt with Al-Amin on September 12.In this backdrop, the family members of Rafiqul Islam Roma took Al-Amin and his mother to their house in the name of negotiation. Roma and his brother-in-law Hafiz forcibly took off the wearing of Al-Amin and his mother in their doorway in front of several men. At one stage, they took Al-Amin’s mother to an adjacent house and allegedly raped her. Police, however, denied the claim of rape. They said the mother and son were beaten up by the miscreants. Getting information, the police rescued the victims and sent them to Kalihati Health Complex for medical treatment. Police also arrested Roma and his brother-in law after the incident. Meanwhile a tense situation was prevailing in the area after the incident. Police shut off their shops and business establishments fearing further untoward situation. Addition police forces have been deployed in the area to prevent further trouble.
