Man hacked with machete in Ctg after protesting drug sale

A 24-year-old man was allegedly hacked with a machete in Chattogram's Karnaphuli upazila last night after protesting against the sale of yaba in his area.

The incident took place around 7pm in the Masterhat area of Shikalbaha Union.

The injured man, Mohammad Mohiuddin, son of late Nur Mohammad of Ahsania Para in Ward 2 of Shikalbaha Union, was taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

The incident triggered tension in the area, with an angry crowd allegedly setting fire to and vandalising the rented house of a man accused by locals of drug trading.

Confirming the incident, Karnaphuli police station Officer-in-Charge Nur Ahmed told The Business Standard, "Receiving information, police rushed to the spot and brought the fire and situation under control."

"Preliminarily, we have learnt that Mohiuddin was attacked following a dispute between him and Ibrahim. Later, an agitated crowd set fire to Mujibur Rahman's house," he said.

"Mujibur has been accused in several drug peddling cases and he recently came out of jail on bail," he added.

Legal action in connection with the incidents is being processed, the OC added.

Local residents alleged that Mujibur Rahman had long been involved in drug trading in the area and faced several cases at the police station.

They said he recently secured bail after spending nearly two months in jail and resumed the alleged drug trade.

Residents said a social organisation was formed in Ahsania Para several days ago to curb drug abuse and trafficking in the area. Mohiuddin was a member of the organisation, they added.

According to locals, tensions had been building between Mohiuddin and people allegedly involved in drug trading after he became vocal against the trade.

Yesterday evening, Mohiuddin reportedly got into an argument with a man named Ibrahim in the Masterhat area. At one point, Ibrahim allegedly attacked him with a machete, leaving him seriously injured.

Locals alleged that Ibrahim was an associate of Mujibur Rahman.

Shihab Uddin, a cousin of Mohiuddin, said, "My cousin was hacked with a machete for protesting against drug trading. He suffered serious injuries to different parts of his body and is now undergoing treatment at Chattogram Medical College Hospital."

The allegations against Mujibur Rahman and Ibrahim could not be independently verified, and their comments were not immediately available.

Following news of the attack, an angry crowd allegedly went to Mujibur Rahman's rented house, set it on fire and vandalised it.

A livestock kept inside the house died in the fire.