Policemen allegedly charged baton on the unruly villagers who assaulted five personnel of the Anti-drug Directorate for demanding bribe amounting to Tk 10, 000 from local drug traders.

Injured Hasna Hena, 70, Taramon Bibi, 35, Selina Khatun, 25, Swapan Master, 32, Gholam Mortuza, 35, Majedur Rahman, 26, Babul Hossain, 37, and others were rushed to Mohonpur Health Complex and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) immediately after the incident for treatment.

Villagers alleged that a five-man team of Anti-drug force led by inspector Shafiqul Islam went to the village to arrest drug traders at around 12 pm.

The team members included assistant sub inspector Abu Bakkar Siddique and constables Akbar Hossain, Motaleb Hossain and Robi

Villager and drug alleged that the anti-drug personnel threatened the drug traders to pay the amount or face arrest. At this stage, both the drug traders and villagers jointly chased, caught and assaulted them.

The villagers informed the matter to Keshorhut Pourasabha chairman Shahiduzzman Shahid. Immediately he rushed to the spot and informed Mohonpur police.

Three police men led by sub-inspector (SI) Mozahar Hossain rushed to the spot and tried to rescue the anti-drug staffers from villagers. At this stage, the villagers clashed with police.

On information, a platoon of police rushed to the spot and charged baton on villagers and rescued the anti-drug staffers from the villagers.

Police also arrested three villagers, Atiqur Rahman, Atiqur and Shahidul Islam on charge of attack on police during their duty period.

When contacted, the officerin-charge (OC) of Mohonpur Police Station Afzal Hossain denied to have charged baton on villagers. But he said police had to go into action against some unruly villagers to control the situation.

On contact, Mohonpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abul Fazal Mir also echoed the similar view. He said that police damaged some dens of drug traders and drug equipment. 'The situation is now under control,' he said.

Sources said, police have been taking preparation to file cases against the villagers.

A tense situation is prevailing in and around the village. Many peoples have reportedly left their village fearing further police attack.