20 injured as police, people clash at a village in Cox's Bazar

Daily Star, Volume 3 Number 1212, Tuesday 4 February 2003

Obscene dance in name of cultural show

At least 20 people including two police constables were injured in a gunfight between police and unruly villagers at village Koroibonia in Ukhia upazila on Friday night.

Police said a group of unruly people arranged a cultural programme at the village and sold tickets. Following start of the programme some local elite submitted written complaint to the police saying that obscene dances were being performed there in the name of cultural programme.

Later police came to the spot and wanted to see the written permission of the district administration for holding the so-called cultural programme.

At one stage of altercation the organisers with the help of some unruly villagers equipped with arms attacked police. Police returned fire that left 20 people including two cops—Abdul Kuddus and Sirajul Islam—injured.

Police arrested 16 people including two performers—Rubi Akhter and Moyna Akhter from the spot.

Police filed a case against 400 people. Tension was prevailing in the area.