Police beat up tea stall owner over a trivial matter

Policemen beat up a tea stall owner in front the police officers' mess at Mahila College More in Lalmonirhat town and confined him to Sadar Police Station, following a trivial matter on Monday night, locals said.

Amid demonstration by local people, he was released after two hours.

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The assaulted tea stall owner took primary treatment in the emergency department of Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital.

A heated exchange occurred between tea stall owner Abdul Sabuj and police constable Ekramul Haque when the latter was trying to wash his legs with tube-well water inside the shop, locals said.

The matter was settled there but after sometime a few policemen rushed to the spot, picked up the tea stall owner, took him in front the police officer's mess at Mahila College More, and beat him mercilessly in presence of people there, locals said.

The assistant superintendent of police (ASP -- Circle) in Lalmonirhat was also present on the spot, they said.

"I did not do anything wrong, but police showed their power illegally and beat me mercilessly. I am now sick and taking treatment," said Abdul Sabuj.

Denying the allegation of torturing the tea stall owner, ASP (Circle) Adibul Islam said, "The stall owner and his son misbehaved and attacked the police constable without any proper reason. The stall owner was taken to the police station, and released later on the night."