SI Sukanta Released from Police Custody: Khulna in Turmoil, KMP Office Locked Down, Roads Blocked

Shihab Moin, Khulna: Intense protests have erupted in Khulna following allegations of the release of SI Sukanta Das, who was in police custody. Since Wednesday noon (June 25), protesters have surrounded the Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) headquarters, locking the main gate and blocking the road in front, effectively cutting off access from Rupsha into the city. The student-public protests have continued into the afternoon with no response from police authorities, leading demonstrators to demand the resignation of the KMP Commissioner.

On Tuesday afternoon, SI Sukanta Das was beaten by locals in the Khanzahan Ali police station area before being handed over to the police. Sukanta Das is currently posted at Alamdanga Police Station in Chuadanga. He had come to Khulna to testify in a case. He faces a case registered on December 12 at Khulna Sadar Police Station related to an attack on students and the public, which is under investigation by the DB. Additionally, two other cases, including the vandalism of BNP city president Shafiqul Alam Manar’s house, are pending against him.

Khanzahan Ali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kabir Hossain said that yesterday SI Sukanta was returning to work on his bike after giving testimony in court when locals attacked him near Shiromoni area. Police and locals rescued him, after which he received initial treatment and left. The OC confirmed that no complaints have been filed against Sukanta Das at Khanzahan Ali Police Station.