The Haragachh Police Station in Kaunia upazila of Rangpur was attacked this evening after locals claimed that a man was "beaten to death by police" over consuming drugs.
Police, however, denied the allegation locals brought against them.
The deceased Tajul Islam (55) was a resident of Dalal Hat-Nayatari village, reports our Rangpur correspondent quoting locals.
According to locals, a team of Haragachh Police Station launched a drive at Notun Bazar area around 6:30 pm today and arrested Tajul along with drugs.
As he was about to lose consciousness, police beat up Tajul and pushed him towards a wall -- leading to his death on the spot, claimed locals.
Hundreds of agitating locals later laid siege to the police station and threw brickbats targeting police personnel. They also vandalised several police vehicles at the time, said witnesses.
Police had to fire tear shells and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.
Agitation was going on in front of the police station till filing of this report at 9:30 pm.
Kaunia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tahmina Tarin said, "He (Tajul) was addicted to drugs. Police went there to arrest him and he died on the spot. Details will be informed after an autopsy."
"Additional police were deployed in the police station area," said the UNO, adding, "The situation is now under control even though locals took position on roads in different parts of the area."
Shawkat Ali Sarkar, officer-in-charge of Haragachh Police Station, said, "Police went to the spot after receiving information that Tajul was consuming heroin. He was handcuffed after being arrested."
Police handed Tajul over to locals as he started defecating and left the spot. "Shortly afterwards, we came to know that Tajul died," added the OC.
