6 arrested over attack on DoE official at Chawkbazar polythene factory

The Detective Branch (DB) and Chawkbazar police jointly arrested six individuals in connection with a violent attack during an operation conducted by the Department of Environment (DoE) at a polythene factory in Dhaka's Chawkbazar.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Md Humayun Kabir (28), Md Ariful Islam (40), Anwar Hossain Khokon (48), Md Shahabuddin (45), Md Nazmul Alam Ujjal (36), and Md Sumon (26).

According to DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media), the arrests were made during raids conducted in various parts of the city on Monday and Tuesday, following a case filed over the attack.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning when a mobile court, led by DoE Executive Magistrate Faizunnesa Akter, raided a polythene factory in the West Islambagh area of Chawkbazar. The operation, conducted in collaboration with police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), seized 40 sacks of illegal polythene from a rented house.

As officials attempted to transport the seized items using a pickup truck, a mob of 150-200 people armed with sticks, bricks, and iron rods intercepted the team. The mob launched a violent attack, injuring Md Shawkat Ali, Director (Deputy Secretary) of the DoE's Monitoring and Enforcement Wing.

The attackers also vandalised the pickup truck and forcibly took away the confiscated polythene. Shawkat Ali sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

In the aftermath of the attack, Md Motaher Hossain, inspector at the DoE, filed a case at Chawkbazar Model Police Station. The case named six individuals while also identifying 150-200 others as unknown attackers.

The DB and Chawkbazar police launched immediate raids following the incident, which led to the arrest of the six suspects. 

Legal proceedings are currently underway, while police continue their efforts to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the attack, said the security forces.