ROBBERY IN BARISAL FISH MARKET
SI suspended, 17 other cops closed
Staff Reporter, Barisal
Seventeen policemen of Harta police camp in Harta port under Uzirpur upazila of Barisal were closed to Barisal Range Reserved Force (RRF) lines, and the SI in charge of the camp was suspended for failing to combat a robbery at Harta fish market on Tuesday night.
The 17 policemen include an SI, an ASI, and two nayeks. Investigation has started against the policemen since it has been alleged that they were involved in the robbery, said the additional SP of Barisal.
Police and local sources said that robbers attacked Harta fish market on Tuesday evening. They came in a speed boat and hurled crude bombs, opened fire and looted over Tk. 60 lakh from 13 wholesale fish centres. They beat up 20 local fish traders.
Shohrab Bepari, the president of Harta Fish Centre Association, died of shock during the attack.
Uttam Baoi, a witness, and Sankar Majumdar, a wholesaler in the market, alleged that the robbery was well planned, which could not have been done without the involvement of Harta police. They alleged that during the robbery, armedpolicemen were present near the port but did not attack the robbers. They also alleged that while escaping after the robbery, the robbers signalled the policemen with torches.
Horen Roy, local UP chairman, and Faruk Hosen Talukdar, a local UP member, alleged that they pleaded with the police for help repeatedly, but they took no action. But, after the robbers left, the police came running to the market area and charged the businessmen with batons. At one stage, locals got angry and attacked the camp police.
After hearing the news, senior officials of the district police visited the spot and closed all the policemen to the lines. SI Md Mozaffar, in charge of the camp, was suspended. He and the other policemen were removed from the camp at 2am yesterday. Their replacements were posted to the camp within an hour.
Md Humayun Kabir, additional SP of Barisal, acknowledged the incident. He said the negligence of the policemen has already been proved. So, they were all closed. Investigation has started against them. If the allegation proves to be true, they will get the highest possible punishment, he added.
All the centres of the Harta fish market were closed yesterday morning. Local people demanded security. Police said messages have been sent to all the riverside police stations about the robbers. But till last reports came in, no one has been arrested in this connection.
