Protesters lock down Khulna police headquarters, demand commissioner's resignation

Protesters today (25 June) gathered at the Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) headquarters and locked its main gate, demanding the resignation of the police commissioner, police said.

"They blocked the main road in front of the KMP gate, cutting off access from Rupsha upazila into the city," Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Khan Jahan Ali Police Station Kabir Hossain told The Business Standard.

The protest was triggered by allegations that Sub-Inspector (SI) Sukanta Das was released from police custody despite facing serious accusations.

Chanting slogans and holding placards, they expressed outrage over what they termed "police leniency" and "institutional protection" of a controversial officer. 

According to police sources, the incident that sparked the protest occurred yesterday when locals in Khulna's Khan Jahan Ali area detained and physically assaulted SI Sukanta before handing him over to police. 

SI Sukanta, currently posted at Alamdanga Police Station in Chuadanga, was in Khulna to testify in a court case. However, he has reportedly been facing multiple allegations, including involvement in an attack on students and civilians on 12 December last year, for which a case is under investigation by the Detective Branch (DB). 

He is also implicated in two additional cases, including one involving vandalism at the residence of BNP Khulna city president Shafiqul Alam Mona.

Despite these allegations against the SI, OC Kabir said, "There were no formal complaints against SI Sukanta with the police station.

"The SI was attacked by locals while returning from court on a motorcycle. He received initial medical treatment and left," the OC added.