Mechanic accused of shooting at police for failing to fix bike
A mechanic in Jhikargacha, Jashore, has been accused of firing shots at police officers after failing to fix a motorcycle. However, the mechanic survived the shooting as the bullets missed their target.
The incident took place around 8 am on Tuesday at the Shiodah Police outpost adjacent to Shiodah Bazar. The accused police officer's name is Rekhan Hossain, who was serving as a constable at the Shiodah Police outpost.
The victim, Ripon Hossain, is currently undergoing treatment at Jessore Sadar Hospital. He is the son of Matiar Hossain from Shiodah village. He owns a hardware store in the market and also does minor repairs on motorcycles.
According to the injured Ripon, before firing shots, he was beaten with a stick. As a result of the beating, his ear was cut and bleeding profusely.
Upon hearing the commotion, locals gathered at the scene near the police outpost. Later, ASP Nishat Al Nahian from the Navaron Circle and OC Kamal Hossain from Jhikargacha Police Station arrived at the scene to bring the situation under control.
Locals reported that on Tuesday morning, the motorcycle belonging to the accused police officer did not start. When Ripon brought it to his shop in Shiodah Bazar, he informed him that he could not fix it and recommended a better mechanic. This angered the police officer, who then beat Ripon with a stick. Later, locals attempted to retaliate by throwing stones at the police, but when one shopkeeper aimed a rifle, the bullets missed the target and hit a nearby stone pillar. However, due to the gunfire, Ajij, a van driver from Panisara village, was injured. Locals said that a part of his right shoulder was hit by a bullet.
Eyewitnesses, including a shopkeeper who threw the rifle, stated that they saw the police officer, Tushar, holding a rifle and threatening to shoot if Ripon did not leave the shop. When Ripon didn't leave, he fired the rifle. Later, I threw the rifle, but even when he fired, the bullets missed and hit the stone pillar nearby.
Ripon's father, Matiar Hossain, who is a day laborer, said, "The police unjustly attacked my son. He is not a mechanic but sells hardware. However, he knows minor motorcycle repairs. He only said he couldn't do this job. That's why they beat him with a stick and vandalized the shop. A shopkeeper from nearby did not fire a bullet."
OC Kamal Hossain from Jhikargacha Police Station said, "One of our police officers was going to duty in Jessore. Along the way, his motorcycle broke down, so he went to a garage in Shiodah Bazar. There, due to a misunderstanding, a bullet was fired from a rifle kept with him. We will take legal action against him."
