One held over mob assault, vandalism at Sohag Paribahan counter in Malibagh
The violence, reportedly sparked by a dispute over smoking, left several people injured, including Hasan Ali, the brother of Sohag Paribahan owner Faruk Talukder.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have arrested a 22-year-old man, Parvez, over Tuesday night's attack and vandalism at Sohag Paribahan's Malibagh counter and at the residence of one of the company's owners.
The violence, reportedly sparked by a dispute over smoking, left several people injured, including Hasan Ali, the brother of Sohag Paribahan owner Faruk Talukder.
"Legal procedures are underway to file a case with the Ramna police station. One suspect has already been arrested, and efforts are ongoing to detain others," said Mazharul Islam, assistant commissioner of DMP's Ramna zone.
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According to police and eyewitnesses, the incident began when a counter official asked two youths smoking near the counter to leave. The exchange escalated, and the youths later returned with 60–70 others, launching an attack.
"Our staff only told them to move a little further if they wanted to smoke," said Managing Director Faruk Talukder Sohel. "That small argument led them to call reinforcements, who vandalised the counter and attacked our staff."
Faruk said his brother, Hasan Ali, was attacked when he tried to intervene outside their home, located next to the counter. "They stormed our house and assaulted our staff with machetes and other crude weapons," he alleged.
Police confirmed that CCTV footage has been collected and that a case is being prepared. "Efforts are ongoing to arrest the others involved," said Mazharul Islam.
