Smoking dispute triggers attack on Shohag Paribahan counter and owner’s home, say police

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Police attribute Wednesday night’s attack on Shohagh Paribahan’s Malibagh counter and the home of a co-owner to a smoking dispute. Investigators say several men smoking outside Ali Hassan Talukder Palash’s residence were asked to move by a security guard, sparking an altercation.

When Palash arrived, the confrontation escalated into a clash. Later, more than 50 men armed with sticks returned and attacked Palash, his driver, and the guard, while vandalising the nearby bus counter. Staff who tried to intervene were assaulted.

Palash’s brother Majedul Haque Nadim said 60–70 attackers attacked around 11:30 pm, injuring Palash, the driver, and several staff, and attempting to break into Palash’s gate. Shohagh Paribahan’s Managing Director Md Faruk Talukder Shohel said staff urged the group to smoke elsewhere, the group argued, then attacked, later bringing more people by phone. CCTV footage has been collected as police pursue identities of the attackers.

While there are allegations of a local politician’s involvement, police say no case has been filed yet and names would clarify the situation.