Farjana Akter, Kuliarchar (Kishoreganj) 

 Kuliarchar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kazi Arif Uddin was closed to administrative lines and served a show-cause notice following the brief escape of a political lawsuit suspect, Renu Miah, in Sixuti Union under Kuliarchar upazila in Kishoreganj district.

The incident originated on September 13 when Singapore expatriate Shojib Roy and his mother, Kelon Rani, were allegedly subjected to extortion and threats at their residence in Madhabdi village. Local BNP Ward 9 President Minar Miah, his son Shah Alam, and associate Kayum Miah allegedly demanded Tk 1 lakh from the family, threatening violence and police harassment following a personal family dispute. Shojib Roy’s family sought assistance from their neighbor Renu Miah, who intervened to protest the extortion.

Local residents and family members alleged that following his protest, Renu Miah was framed in a political case and arrested by Kuliarchar police from his residence on the afternoon of Monday. Shortly after his arrest, Renu Miah escaped while in handcuffs, triggering a nine-hour police search operation that resulted in his rearrest later that night. During the search drive, police detained seven local women—including pregnant individuals and mothers with infants—on charges of aiding the escape.

 While three women were subsequently released upon signing a bond, four were forwarded to court, sparking widespread public debate after detained women claimed they were taken into custody merely for spectating the police operation or being in the vicinity. Furthermore, local residents raised additional allegations against Minar Miah, Kayum Miah, and associate Salam Miah regarding separate instances of extortion involving a local widow and commercial pickup drivers.

Following Renu Miah's brief escape from custody, higher administrative authorities issued a show-cause notice to OC Kazi Arif Uddin and officially closed him from his duties. 

The decision prompted mixed reactions among Kuliarchar residents on social media, with many questioning why the OC was held accountable instead of the sub-inspector directly in charge of the suspect.

 Addressing the situation, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abu Mussa Sheikh stated that the women were detained for creating a mob to assist a political suspect, adding that the closure of the OC was an internal administrative decision by higher authorities and confirming that an official investigation into the extortion allegations will be conducted.