At least 25 people, including four police officers, were injured in violent clashes between law enforcement and residents in Raipur upazila of Lakshmipur District late on Thursday night. The confrontation erupted over the custody of four suspected battery-powered auto-rickshaw thieves, triggering hours of unrest and a major road blockade.
The incident began in Sonapur Union’s Ward No. 1 when Shah Alam, a resident of the Haider Ali Bepari Bari area, left his battery-operated auto-rickshaw by the roadside while breaking his fast. Within minutes, the vehicle was stolen.
Local residents quickly organised a search and managed to detain four suspects. The stolen auto-rickshaw was recovered soon afterwards. However, its batteries had allegedly already been removed and sold elsewhere. Enraged by the loss, residents reportedly took the suspects to a nearby house and assaulted them, demanding the return of the missing batteries.
Police Intervention Sparks Violence
At approximately 9:00 pm, officers from Raipur Police Station responded to a call made to the national emergency helpline 999. Upon arrival, they attempted to take the four suspects into custody.
According to police, tensions escalated when residents refused to release the detainees until the stolen batteries were recovered. A heated exchange followed, eventually spiralling into clashes marked by brick-throwing, chasing and counter-chasing between police and locals.
Police confirmed that Sub-Inspector Motaleb and constables Shawkat, Manjur and Zahid were among the injured. In total, at least 25 individuals from both sides sustained injuries. The wounded officers were admitted to Raipur Upazila Health Complex for treatment.
Three-Hour Road Blockade
Following the confrontation, residents staged a blockade on the Lakshmipur–Raipur regional road near Chaitailya Dighi Par. Protesters set fire to tyres and tree trunks, effectively halting traffic.
The blockade lasted from around 11:00 pm until 1:30 am—approximately three and a half hours—causing severe congestion stretching nearly two kilometres along both sides of the road. Hundreds of commuters were left stranded overnight, facing significant inconvenience.
A local rickshaw driver, Mohammad Akbar, alleged that residents had detained the suspects solely to recover the stolen batteries. “We held them to retrieve the batteries,” he said. “But the police tried to take them away by force. When we objected, they attacked us. Ten to fifteen of our people were injured.”
Official Account and Aftermath
Additional Superintendent of Police (Raipur and Ramganj Circle) Mohammad Jamilul Haque stated that officers were responding to an emergency call. “While taking the accused into custody, 20 to 30 individuals began throwing bricks and stones from behind,” he said. “Four officers, including one sub-inspector, were injured.”
Authorities confirmed that the four suspects are currently being held at Raipur Police Station. The auto-rickshaw owner has been advised to file a formal case over the theft, while police are preparing a separate case in connection with the assault on officers.
To restore order, additional police personnel and members of the Bangladesh Army were deployed. The blockade was eventually lifted, and officials said the situation is now under control.