The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested the prime accused in the attack on college teacher Ariful Islam, who was allegedly targeted for speaking out against drugs and online gambling in Lalmonirhat.
RAB-13 arrested Rahidul Islam, son of the late Anwar Hossain of Gandhamarua village in Adityamari upazila, from the Hatirjheel-Nayatola area of Dhaka on Wednesday night, said RAB-13 Assistant Director (Media) Additional Superintendent of Police Biplab Kumar Goswami in a press briefing on Thursday.
According to the case statement, Ariful, a teacher at Lalmonirhat Government Technical School and College, had warned an alleged online gambling and drug network operating in his village and urged those involved to abandon such activities. He also warned that law enforcement agencies would be informed if they continued.
On August 1, Ariful was returning home from college when Rahidul and several others allegedly attacked him with locally made weapons. He suffered serious injuries to his head and was initially taken to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital before being referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was later transferred to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where he remains in the ICU.
Meanwhile, Ariful’s pregnant wife underwent a caesarean section on August 6 and gave birth to a son while her husband was undergoing critical treatment.
Ariful’s father, Abu Bakkar Siddique, filed a case against 10 people, naming Rahidul as the prime accused, with Adityamari Police Station on August 2. Eight of the accused have reportedly secured bail, while Rahidul remained absconding until his arrest.
RAB said Rahidul was arrested based on a tip-off and will be handed over to the concerned police station for further legal proceedings.
