Rab team confined by mob during Gazipur mobile court drive

A team of Rapid Action Battalion was confined by a mob for around two hours, reportedly due to a misunderstanding with local businessmen, during a mobile court drive in Gazipur's Sreepur upazila today.

The incident took place near Al Hera Hospital in Maona intersection area at around 12:00pm.

Later, police intervened and rescued the Rab personnel at around 2:00pm.

According to Rab sources, the Rab-1 team, which also included representatives from Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), conducted a drive at two business establishments, including a cosmetic supplier, near Al Hera Hospital.

The two businesses were fined a total of Tk 5 lakh and goods worth about Tk 20 lakh were seized over alleged irregularities.

Md Maruf, owner of one of the businesses, Bismillah Enterprise, said, "They entered the shop abruptly and started seizing goods one after another."

Lt Nafiz Bin Jamal, company commander at Porabari camp of Rab-1, told The Daily Star, "Rab members were carrying out mobile court duties, accompanied by two executive magistrates. Tension arose due to a misunderstanding with local businessmen. Since two of the team members were in civilian clothes during the operation, suspicion arose and a mob formed subsequently."

On information, police went to the scene. They brought the situation under control after talking to the businessmen, and freed the confined Rab members, added the official.