SP, OC among 20 injured as violence erupts over 'rape and killing' of child in Lalmonirhat

At least 20 people, including the superintendent of police (SP) and an officer-in-charge (OC), were injured in clashes between police and residents in Lalmonirhat's Aditmari upazila today (16 June) following the alleged rape and killing of a seven-year-old girl.

The violence broke out in Folimari village after police refused to hand over the main suspect to an angry crowd.

The girl, Nandini Kanto Roy, daughter of Nalini Kanto Roy, had been missing since yesterday afternoon. Her body was found buried in a maize field this morning after locals noticed disturbed soil and dug up the area. Police later recovered the body and sent it to the Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Suspicion fell on Bidhan Chandra Roy, 22, of the same village after a resident reportedly saw him returning from the maize field carrying a spade yesterday evening. Villagers vandalised his house before police took him into custody.

Tension escalated when residents demanded that the suspect be handed over to them. As police refused, protesters surrounded law enforcers, triggering clashes that continued for nearly three hours.

SP Md Ashaduzzaman, members of the crime scene investigation unit, and later the deputy commissioner, BGB personnel and other officials were also surrounded by protesters. Police said officials remained stranded for hours before additional forces arrived.

Law enforcers eventually used three sound grenades to disperse the crowd and restore order.

The clashes left at least 20 people injured, including the SP and Aditmari Police Station OC Nazmul Haque. Seven vehicles, including the deputy commissioner's vehicle, were vandalised.

Police arrested Bidhan and his father and filed a case over the killing. Authorities said further legal action would be taken following investigation.