Protesters block Kushtia highway over police officer’s offensive post on July uprising: Cop withdrawn from duty

A police constable in Kushtia has been withdrawn from duty following allegations that he made an offensive Facebook post about the July uprising.

In protest against the post, members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement blocked the Kushtia–Ishwardi highway in front of the Superintendent of Police's office last night (1 July).

The demonstration began around 9:30pm, with protesters demanding the arrest of the constable and pledging to continue the blockade until he was brought under the purview of the law.

Around 11pm, Kushtia District Police announced that Constable Farjul Islam of the traffic division had been attached to the Police Lines and removed from active duty.

In a Facebook post, the district police stated, "Due to making anti-July uprising comments, Constable Farjul Islam, serving in the District Police Traffic, has had his leave cancelled and has been attached to the Police Lines. Additionally, a three-member committee has been formed to take strict action on this matter."

The statement added that instructions had been issued to all units under Kushtia District Police to refrain from posting anti-July uprising or anti-state content on social media, warning of strict legal consequences for any violations.

Following the announcement, the protesters removed the road blockade.

Officer-in-Charge of Kushtia Model Police Station Mosharraf Hossain was present at the scene and said discussions had taken place with leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement to address the situation.

At the protest site, activists were seen burning tyres and chanting slogans on the highway in front of the Police Lines, causing significant traffic congestion on both sides of the road.

Mostafizur Rahman, Member Secretary of the Kushtia branch of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, alleged, "Farjul Islam made a highly offensive post using vulgar language about July on his Facebook ID. We are demanding his arrest, and our protest will continue until that happens."

He also said, "Last July in Kushtia, police fired indiscriminately and killed students and members of the public. Awami League and its affiliated organisations are still issuing threats. The police, aligned with them, are once again showing the same behaviour this year. They have not changed."

Meanwhile, around 10pm, Constable Farjul Islam posted on his Facebook account, claiming that his account had been hacked earlier in the day.