Police have filed a case naming 42 people, including alleged local crime figure Md Yasin, and accusing another 150 to 200 unidentified individuals over the armed attack and vandalism at an under-construction RAB camp in Jungle Salimpur of Sitakunda on early yesterday (25 May).

The case was filed late last night by Fouzderhat Police Outpost Inspector Sohel Rana, Sitakunda Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Mohinul Islam confirmed.

Earlier, around 20 to 25 people were detained during a joint operation by RAB, police and APBn after the attack. Five of them were shown arrested after verification while others were released, said the OC.

The five arrested people and Yasin, whom law enforcers describe as controlling the area, are among the 42 named accused, the OC added.

The case includes charges of organised armed assault on police, obstruction of government duties, vandalism of state property, and violations under the Explosives Act, police said.

The attack took place around 2am in the Alinagar area of Jungle Salimpur, where armed assailants opened fire on the under-construction RAB camp before using a bulldozer to destroy walls and other structures.

The attackers also dug up roads at at least four points to delay the arrival of additional law enforcement personnel, according to officials.

The assailants later fled after law enforcers responded.
Law enforcement agencies had taken control of Jungle Salimpur during a major drive on 9 March. A joint forces camp was later set up inside an under-construction building of Alinagar High School, where around 130 members of police, APBn, RRF and RAB have since been stationed.

RAB officials said forces managed to reach the area and launch an operation despite the road blockades. The elite force claimed members of the "Yasin Bahini" were behind the attack.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed is scheduled to visit Jungle Salimpur on 31 May. RAB officials said there would be no security lapse during the visit.

Meanwhile, the Chattogram district administration has sought deployment of two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh to help restore law and order and recover illegal arms in the area.

The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the request yesterday. BGB personnel are expected to remain deployed there until 31 May.

Although Jungle Salimpur falls under Sitakunda upazila, access to the area is mainly through Chattogram city via the Bayezid-Fouzderhat road and adjoining hilly routes.

The area, comprising Chinnomul and Alinagar, spans around 3,100 acres of government land, according to district administration data. Authorities say the locality has long remained under the control of land grabbers and armed groups.

sunnews/ra