Police Vow Swift Action After Schoolboy Shot in Cumilla

Senior police officials have pledged to bring all those responsible to justice after a schoolboy was seriously injured in a shooting during an attack on an anti-drug human chain in Cumilla, an incident that has sparked widespread concern over public safety and violent crime.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for the Chattogram Range, Moniruzzaman, visited the scene in the Katabil area of Cumilla city on Friday afternoon, a day after armed attackers allegedly targeted local residents participating in an anti-drug demonstration organised by a citizens’ committee.

During his visit, the DIG met members of the family of Ethan Ahmed, the schoolboy who sustained a gunshot wound during the attack, and assured them that law enforcement agencies were treating the case with the utmost priority.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Moniruzzaman said police were determined to identify and arrest every individual involved, regardless of where they might be hiding.

“We are making every effort to ensure the safety and security of the public,” he said. “Those responsible for this incident will be tracked down wherever they are and brought before the law. We have instructed our officers to continue operations until everyone involved has been arrested.”

The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when residents gathered in the Katabil area to take part in a human chain protesting the spread of illegal drugs in the neighbourhood. According to police and local accounts, a group of assailants armed with locally made weapons attacked the demonstrators before opening fire.

At least seven people were injured in the violence, with Ethan Ahmed among those most seriously hurt. He was initially taken to Cumilla Medical College Hospital before being transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for specialist treatment because of the severity of his injuries.

Ethan’s father, Yunus Mia, has since filed a criminal case naming six individuals and listing a total of 12 accused in connection with the attack. The filing of the case was confirmed on Friday evening by Touhidul Anwar, Officer-in-Charge of Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station.

The police official said one suspect had already been arrested and that efforts to apprehend the remaining accused were continuing.

“Our investigation is progressing, and raids are ongoing to arrest the other suspects,” he said.

The schoolboy remains under treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors are closely monitoring his condition. According to his father, surgeons have not yet been able to remove the bullet because of the risks associated with the injury.

Yunus Mia said doctors at Cumilla Medical College Hospital initially decided against surgery after determining that attempting to remove the bullet could endanger his son’s life. Ethan was later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment, where he was taken to the operating theatre. However, the medical team again decided not to proceed immediately with surgery.

“The bullet has still not been removed,” Yunus Mia said. “There is continued bleeding from the wound, and he has required blood transfusions. The doctors have told us that a senior surgeon will perform the operation when it is considered safe.”

Acting Director of Cumilla Medical College Hospital, Dr Md Shahjahan, explained that the bullet had penetrated as far as Ethan’s lung, making the injury particularly complex.

“The bullet reached his lung, which made the operation highly risky,” he said. “For that reason, he was referred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where we hope the surgical team will be able to remove it safely.”

The incident has also drawn the attention of local political leaders. Cumilla-6 Member of Parliament and freedom fighter Monirul Haque Chowdhury visited Ethan’s family following the attack and acknowledged the gravity of the situation.

“I have met the family of the injured schoolboy,” he said. “As an elected representative, neither I nor the law enforcement agencies can avoid responsibility for such an incident. Those involved must be brought to justice without delay.”

The attack has heightened concerns about law and order in the area, particularly as it occurred during a peaceful anti-drug programme intended to raise public awareness. Residents have called for a thorough investigation and stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Police say the investigation remains active, with officers gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and conducting operations to arrest the remaining suspects. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that everyone involved in the violence is identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.