Clashes Erupt Over Suspected Thieves

At least 25 people, including four police officers, were injured following violent clashes between law enforcement and local residents in Raipur upazila of Lakshmipur District late on Thursday night. The unrest was triggered by a dispute over four suspected auto-rickshaw thieves who were detained by locals and later taken into police custody.

The confrontation began after a battery-powered auto-rickshaw was stolen in Sonapur ইউনিয়নের Ward No. 1. According to local sources, Shah Alam, a resident of the Haider Ali Bepari Bari area, had left his vehicle by the roadside while breaking his fast. Within minutes, the auto-rickshaw was stolen.

With the assistance of local residents, four suspects were detained shortly afterwards and the vehicle was recovered. However, its batteries had allegedly already been sold elsewhere. Angered by the missing batteries, locals reportedly took the suspects to a nearby house and began assaulting them, demanding the recovery of the stolen components.

Police Intervention and Escalation

At around 9:00 pm, officers from Raipur Police Station responded to a call made to the national emergency helpline 999. Upon arrival, police attempted to rescue the detainees and bring them into lawful custody.

However, residents reportedly refused to release the suspects until the stolen batteries were recovered. A heated argument ensued, escalating into a violent clash marked by chasing and counter-chasing between the two sides.

Police confirmed that Sub-Inspector Motaleb and constables Shawkat, Manjur, and Zahid were among those injured. In total, at least 25 people from both sides sustained injuries. The wounded officers were admitted to Raipur উপজেলা Health Complex for treatment.

Road Blockade and Public Disruption

Following the clashes and the withdrawal of police from the immediate scene, agitated residents staged a blockade on the Lakshmipur–Raipur regional road near Chaitailya Dighi Par. Protesters set tyres and tree trunks alight, bringing traffic to a standstill.

The blockade, which lasted approximately three and a half hours—from 11:00 pm until 1:30 am—resulted in severe congestion stretching nearly two kilometres on both sides of the road. Commuters and transport operators were left stranded, facing significant hardship overnight.

A local rickshaw driver, Mohammad Akbar, claimed that residents had detained the suspects solely to recover the stolen batteries. “We held them to get the batteries back,” he said. “But the police tried to take them away by force. When we resisted, they attacked us. Ten to fifteen of our people were injured.”

Official Response

Additional Superintendent of Police (Raipur and Ramganj Circle) Mohammad Jamilul Haque stated that officers had acted in response to a 999 emergency call. “While bringing the accused into custody, a group of 20 to 30 people began throwing bricks and stones from behind,” he said. “Four officers, including one sub-inspector, were injured.”

Authorities confirmed that the four suspects are currently in custody at Raipur Police Station. The auto-rickshaw owner has been advised to file a formal case regarding the theft, while police are preparing a separate case over the assault on officers.

To restore order, additional police units and members of the Bangladesh Army were deployed to the area. The road blockade was eventually cleared, and officials reported that the situation has since returned to normal.