Youth attacked for calling 999 helpline in Kushtia, 8 criminals sued

A youth sustained injuries, allegedly by criminals, as he gave information to police calling 999 in Kushtia.

After police received information about the criminals from the youth, Asadul Haque, the latter's name was disclosed to the miscreants. A written complaint has been submitted to Kushtia superintendent of police, our local correspondent reports.

The incident happened in Juniadah area in Kushtia's Bheramara upazila on Friday.

According to the complaint, Asadul heard sounds of shots fired -- near the Padma river -- from his house in Juniadah around 9:00am on Friday.

He called 999 and informed police. From the emergency service, he was contacted by a duty officer of Bheramara Police Station. The spot was under Kuchiamora police camp of Bheramara Police Station.

The duty officer gave the name and mobile number of Asadul to Sub-inspector (SI) Jahangir Hossain at Kuchiamora police camp.

Three hours later, around 1:00pm, SI Jahangir called Asadul and said no such incident had occurred in the area, Asadul said in the complaint.

But within 20/25 minutes, eight young men wielding a pistol stormed his house and four of them attacked him. One of them stabbed him indiscriminately. The criminals asked him how he dared to inform the police about their activities.  

Hearing Asadul's screams, some farmers working in a nearby field rushed and rescued him and the criminals fled.

In the complaint, the victim mentioned names of seven people -- Alamgir, Mamun, Milon, Shakil, Rubel, Asman and Rakib -- and one unidentified attacker. All of them live in different areas of Bheramara and Daulatpur upazilas in Kushtia.

Asadul first went to Bheramara Upazila Health Complex for treatment but was later admitted to Kushtia General Hospital as he did not feel safe there. After taking treatment there, he was discharged from the hospital on Saturday afternoon. He is now at home.

While talking to the correspondent today, the victim said that some senior police officials had talked to him and told him about looking into the matter.

When contacted, SI Jahangir Hossain wanted to know the name of this journalist and the newspaper he works for. He hung up upon hearing that this correspondent works for The Daily Star. The number was later found switched off.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bheramara Police Station Shahjalal said that he recorded the complaint as a case in the morning today.

Three groups from Bheramara, Daulatpur and Lalpur in Natore were involved in a dispute over possession of sand from Padma river bank, he said.

He also said that he is looking into the matter.

Asked about allegation against SI Jahangir Hossain, he said it is a matter of higher authority.

Kushtia Superintendent of Police Khairul Alam told our Kushtia correspondent that the complaint has been taken in cognisance. 

A case has been filed with Bheramara Police Station in this connection. The reported conversation of the accused police officer is being examined, the SP added.