Tawhidul Islam, Cox's Bazar:

The fatal attack and counterattack at the bar of Renaissance Hotel in Cox's Bazar have raised fresh concerns not only about law and order but also about the regulation of alcohol sales and service at the city's bars.

On Thursday night, an altercation at the Renaissance Hotel bar on the second floor escalated into a violent clash, leaving Najibul Haque Rashed (27) and Solaiman, also known as Salman (29), dead. Following the incident, police collected CCTV footage from the bar and launched an investigation.

Among those who visited the scene after the incident was Cox's Bazar District Police spokesperson and Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations and Crime), Wahidur Rahman, who led the police response.

He said that there were numerous people of different ages inside the bar at the time of the incident, and all of them were consuming alcohol.

However, none of them possessed a valid alcohol consumption permit. Although the bar authorities claimed that one person had a permit, they failed to produce it when requested. Police also observed several underage individuals drinking alcohol inside the bar.

He added that government regulations require bars to verify whether customers possess valid permits before selling or serving alcohol. However, allegations of alcohol being sold without valid permits at bars in Cox's Bazar are longstanding. Thursday night's incident has once again highlighted the issue. According to him, the responsibility for verifying permits rests with the District Administration and the Department of Narcotics Control. After informing the two government agencies, police will take the necessary legal steps.

Following the statement of Additional Superintendent of Police Wahidur Rahman, questions have emerged regarding the security measures and regulatory oversight of alcohol sales at the city's bars.

According to the Alcohol Control Rules, 2022, no person under the age of 21 can be issued a permit to consume alcohol. In other words, merely being an adult is not sufficient; individuals must also possess the required legal permit. The regulations further stipulate that alcohol can only be sold to permit holders within specified limits. By law, a permit holder may purchase a maximum of three units of alcohol at a time. Individuals under the age of 21 are prohibited from consuming alcohol, and selling alcohol to anyone below that age is also legally prohibited.

However, as Cox's Bazar is a tourist destination frequented by both local residents and visitors of various age groups, bars are allegedly serving alcohol to young people without properly verifying their age or permits.

Local residents allege that licensed bars in Cox's Bazar frequently serve alcohol without adequately checking customers' age or permits. They claim that this could be verified by examining the bars' entry registers, permit verification records, sales registers, and cash memos.

An investigation found that Cox's Bazar has ten government-approved bars. These include Renaissance in Jhautala, Koila at Laboni Point, Sea-Gull, Sea Palace, Sea Crown, Neeshorgo, Cox Today, Sayeman, Ocean Paradise, and Royal Tulip in Inani.

At many of these establishments, people between the ages of 20 and 25 are frequently seen consuming alcohol inside the bars despite not having permits. Government gazette notifications outlining alcohol licensing conditions state that foreign liquor may only be sold or served at approved bars or designated counters. Hotels or restaurants with separate bars or counters are required to obtain separate licenses. Residential hotels are also prohibited from serving or allowing alcohol consumption in guest rooms. However, these regulations are reportedly not being followed by many bars in Cox's Bazar.

The use of knives during Thursday's clash at the Renaissance bar has also raised questions about security procedures. If visitors are supposed to be searched before entering, why did the weapons go undetected?

Regarding the matter, Somen Mondal, Deputy Director of the Department of Narcotics Control in Cox's Bazar, said that more than 550 individuals in Cox's Bazar possess valid alcohol consumption permits. In addition, many tourists and foreign nationals also hold valid permits. Licensed bars in the district operate based on these permit holders. He said bar owners have already been warned not to sell alcohol without valid permits, and legal action will be taken against those who violate the rules. The incident at the Renaissance bar is also under investigation

At around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday (August 28), two young men were killed in an attack and counterattack following an argument at the Renaissance Hotel bar in Jhautala, Cox's Bazar.

The deceased were identified as Najibul Haque Rashed (27), son of the late Zainal Abedin of Nuniar Chhara, and Solaiman, also known as Salman (29), son of Abul Kalam of the BDR Camp area.

Renaissance Bar Manager Tarek said that Rashed entered the bar with four other young men despite not having an alcohol permit. They were drinking there when Rashed became involved in an argument with Ansar, a resident of Ward No. 2, who had accompanied him. Ansar then called two more individuals, who arrived and allegedly attacked Rashed with a broken bottle and a knife before attempting to flee. During the incident, locals caught Salman from the BDR Camp area.

CCTV footage from the bar and surrounding area reportedly shows that shortly after 11:00 p.m., Tajuar Haque Radhi, a listed criminal in the police records and son of Abu Taher Mia from Khurushkul Road Head area, entered the bar with his friend Salman. The footage allegedly shows Salman restraining Rashed while Radhi repeatedly stabbed him and struck him with a glass bottle. Rashed then managed to come downstairs in an injured condition before collapsing on the ground. Locals rescued him and took him to the hospital while Salman was apprehended and beaten by members of the public.

A local shopkeeper, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Salman was first caught when the attackers attempted to flee. Shortly afterward, Rashed's relatives arrived at the scene. They allegedly assaulted Salman there, took him away, and beat him again in Rashed's neighborhood before handing him over to police in critical condition.

According to police sources, Rashed was declared dead after being taken to the hospital. Salman, who was in critical condition when handed over to police, was initially taken to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital. As his condition deteriorated further, he was referred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where he died on Friday morning.

Additional Superintendent of Police Ahidul Islam said that preliminary findings suggest the two young men were killed in an attack and counterattack following an argument inside the bar.