Police in Satkania, Chattogram, have arrested four individuals following violent clashes triggered by a fatal road traffic accident that claimed the lives of a father and his two-year-old daughter.
The tragedy occurred at approximately 7:30 PM on Friday near the DBM brick kiln in Kaliash Union, along the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway. A head-on collision between a passenger bus and an auto-rickshaw instantly killed 32-year-old Delowar Hossain and his daughter, Wasifa. Four other members of the same family sustained serious injuries in the crash.
News of the deaths sparked immediate outrage among local residents. An agitated crowd set the bus ablaze and blockaded the highway, bringing traffic to a standstill for nearly two hours. The blockade resulted in a 10-kilometre tailback on both sides of the highway, stranding thousands of commuters.
The situation escalated when emergency responders arrived. Protesters blocked highway police and firefighters attempting to extinguish the burning vehicle. When a police patrol team led by Sub-Inspector Jahed reached the scene, rioters attacked their vehicle, vandalised official property, and allegedly attempted to snatch firearms from officers. One police officer was injured during the melee.
Order was restored after additional forces led by Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Ariful Islam Siddique arrived at the scene, dispersing the crowd and clearing the highway.
On Friday night, police conducted targeted raids across Mirnagar and Rasulabad in Kaliash Union, arresting four suspects: Md. Hasibul Islam (22), Mohammad Hossain (30), Liyakat Sikdar (24), and Md. Azahar Sikdar (19).
On Saturday morning, law enforcement authorities filed two separate cases under the Road Transport Act, charging the suspects with sabotage, obstructing government duties, and damaging state property. Police officials confirmed that investigations remain ongoing to identify and apprehend additional individuals involved in the violent outbreak.
