Police constable Hasan Ali has been charged with beating to death a disabled rickshaw puller named Nazmul Islam (30) in Rangpur. Residents of the area, who were outraged by the incident, surrounded the policeman's house and started protesting.
The incident took place in Asharatpur Kotpara area of the city before Wednesday evening. Policeman Hasan Ali and his wife Sathi Begum have been arrested in the incident.
According to police and local sources, Hasan Ali, a physically challenged man from Mustafi area of Lalmonirhat, was living in a rented house in Eidga Para, Ashratpur. He used to rent a battery-powered rickshaw as he had problems with his legs. The rickshaw belonged to Hasan Ali, a constable working at the Rangpur Police Training Center. Hasan Ali's house is in Gaibandha. He rented a house in Asratpur Kotpara and lived with his family.
Nazmul had a dispute with Hasan Ali over the rickshaw on Tuesday night. As a result, Hasan Ali severely beat the rickshaw puller Nazmul. At one stage, when his condition was critical, Hasan took him to his house in Kotpara.
Meanwhile, locals started protesting after seeing Nazmul's hanging body in the house on Wednesday afternoon. When the Tajhat police reached the spot, they were also cordoned off.
Locals allege that after beating Nazmul to death, policeman Hasan carried out a suicide campaign by hanging his body. At one stage, the agitated locals started protesting by setting fire at the corner of Rangpur-Kurigram road park.
As a result, the traffic on that road was stopped. Upon receiving the news, a senior police officer along with additional police personnel reached the spot and brought the situation under control at around 6 pm.
Rangpur Metropolitan Police Tajhat Police Station OC Akhtaruzzaman said the situation was under police control. Preparations are underway to file a case in this regard. If the matter is investigated and the allegation is proved, appropriate legal action will be taken.
