Khulna Bureau :
Hundreds of students and locals have surrounded the Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) headquarters in protest against the release of Sub-Inspector (SI) Sukanta Das from police custody. The protesters have locked the main gate of the KMP and blocked the road in front of the building, effectively cutting off entry to the city from the Rupsha area. They are also chanting various slogans.
The protest began on Wednesday afternoon (June 25) and continued until 5 p.m. Despite hours of demonstrations, the police did not respond to the protesters’ demands. In response, the demonstrators have now called for the resignation of the KMP Commissioner.
The unrest stems from an incident on Tuesday afternoon when residents of the Khanjahan Ali police station area reportedly beat SI Sukanta Das and handed him over to police. Currently stationed at Alamdanga Police Station in Chuadanga, SI Sukanta had traveled to Khulna to testify in court.
He is accused in a case filed at Khulna Sadar Police Station on December 12, related to an alleged attack on students and civilians. That case is currently under investigation by the Detective Branch (DB). Additionally, two other cases are ongoing against him, including one concerning the vandalism of the residence of BNP City President Shafiqul Alam Moni.
Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md. Zulfikar Ali Haider confirmed that there are two cases filed against SI Sukanta. “The investigations are still ongoing,” he said. He also stated that on June 24, while SI Sukanta was returning to Chuadanga after testifying in court, he was assaulted by locals in the Instant Gate area of Khulna and handed over to Khanjahan Ali Police Station. Following the incident, he received preliminary medical treatment and returned to his station in Chuadanga.
“The door to dialogue is always open for students,” the Commissioner added.
