Smoking row sparked attack on Shohag Paribahan counter

City Desk :

Police have attributed Wednesday night’s attack on the Shohagh Paribahan counter in Dhaka’s Malibagh and the home of one of the bus company’s owners to a dispute over smoking. According to investigators, several men were smoking outside the residence of company co-owner Ali Hassan Talukder Palash when a security guard asked them to move. An altercation followed.

“They got into a heated exchange with the guard. Later, when the owner arrived, they clashed with him as well. Some shoving took place,” said Mazharul Islam, assistant commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna Zone.

Shortly afterwards, the men returned with more than 50 others armed with sticks, according to police. They allegedly attacked Palash, his driver, and the guard while vandalising the nearby bus counter. Staff members who tried to intervene were also assaulted.

Palash’s brother, Majedul Haque Nadim, said that 60-70 men armed with sticks and sharp weapons launched the attack around 11:30pm. He added that his brother, the driver and several staff were injured, and that the assailants attempted to break through the gate of Palash’s house.

Describing the incident, Shohagh Paribahan’s Managing Director Md Faruk Talukder Shohel said: “Our staff told them to step aside and smoke elsewhere. They started arguing and then attacked. They later brought in more people by phone,” he said.

“My younger brother (Palash) was arriving home by car when he was also targeted. They vandalised the house and beat our staff. We informed police right away and are preparing to file a case.”

Mazharul said CCTV footage had been collected and efforts were under way to identify the attackers, reports bdnews24.com.

Allegations have emerged of a local politician’s involvement, but the police official said he was unaware of any such links.

“No case has been filed yet. If names are included in the case, only then will it be clear,” he said.