7 cops hurt in clash with villagers, nine held

At least seven policemen were injured in an attack by a group of local people from a waz mahfil (Islamic sermon) at Tiloki village in Bholahat upazila early yesterday.

Police said a group of local people arranged a waz mahfil at an orchard on Monday night. 

Being informed that the speakers at the mahfil are delivering offensive speeches against the prime minister and over the current political situation, a police team rushed to the spot around 12:30am, said Abdur Razzak, officer-in-charge of Bholahat Police Station.

Sensing the presence of the police, a group of locals started pelting brickbats towards the law enforcers, leaving seven policemen injured.

Injured Sub-inspectors Abdul Mazid and Shishir Kumar, Assistant Sub-inspector Shukur Ali, and four Constables--Shafiqul Islam, Aminul Islam, Abul Kalam and Abdul Aziz were given primary treatment at Bholahat Upazila Health Complex.

Police fired five rounds of blank shots to bring the situation under control and later detained nine people from the spot.