Patiya OC withdrawn amid protests

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Patiya Police Station, Abu Zayed Md Nazmun Noor, was withdrawn on Wednesday night following protests by the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

Chattogram District Superintendent of Police (SP) Saiful Islam Santu confirmed the development, stating that OC Nazmun Noor had been withdrawn and attached to the Chattogram Range DIG office.

Earlier in the day, members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement staged demonstrations demanding the OC's withdrawal. Beginning at 10 am, protesters blocked the road in front of Patiya Police Station. By noon, they extended their blockade to the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway at the Indrapool area. The blockade continued until 7 pm, at which point the protesters issued an ultimatum demanding the OC’s removal by 10 am Thursday.

The protestors alleged that on Tuesday night, they had detained a leader of the banned Chhatra League in the WAPDA Road area of Patiya municipal town and attempted to hand him over to police. However, OC Zayed reportedly showed reluctance to arrest the individual. Later, following the OC’s instructions, police allegedly attacked leaders and activists of the movement in two separate incidents, injuring around 20 students.

In response, students besieged Patiya Police Station from 10 am Wednesday, demanding justice and the immediate removal of OC Nazmun Noor. They also held a sit-in protest on the highway in front of the station.

At around 11:45 am, the protesters moved to the main road in the Indrapool area, completely halting vehicular movement on the highway.

Later, after failing to meet with the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), demonstrators launched another road blockade in Chattogram's Khulshi area from 3 pm.