4 arrested over attack on Bepza security personnel, snatching of detainee
The four were arrested during separate drives in areas under EPZ and Bandar police stations early today.
Police have arrested four alleged members of an organised theft gang over an attack on Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) security personnel and vandalism of a vehicle while forcibly taking away a man detained over an attempted theft at the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ).
The four were arrested during separate drives in areas under EPZ and Bandar police stations early today (19 August), according to a press release issued by Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) this afternoon.
The arrestees are Aslam Sheikh, 24; Abdul Kaiyum, 32; Md Rashed, 38; and Md Russell Alamin, 29.
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According to police, a Bepza patrol team led by Assistant Security Officer ABM Nazir Hossain went to M/s Tariq Azim Textile Limited in CEPZ around 9:30pm on 17 August after receiving information that a group of thieves had entered the factory.
Sensing the presence of the security personnel, the suspects allegedly attempted to flee. The patrol team chased them and detained Aslam Sheikh.
The security personnel were taking him in an official pickup van to the CEPZ police outpost to hand him over to police.
When the vehicle reached a point around 20 metres northeast of the Bepza security gate, in front of the BD Apparels gate, Aslam's associates allegedly blocked its path along with 30-40 others, police said. They allegedly vandalised the vehicle and attempted to snatch Aslam from the security personnel.
When the security personnel resisted, the attackers allegedly assaulted them with locally made weapons before forcibly taking Aslam away, according to police.
Bepza Assistant Director for Administration and Estate Pappu Dey later filed a case with EPZ Police Station over the incident.
The case names nine people, including the four arrested: Aslam Sheikh, Abdul Kaiyum, Md Rashed and Md Russell Alamin.
The other accused are Md Shah Jalal, 27; Md Rakib, 26; Md Alal Khan, 27; Akash Biswas, 24; and Md Sabuj Hossain, 34.
Another 30-40 unidentified people have also been accused in the case. Police said efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused.
