Hatirjheel OC seeks unconditional apology

Hatirjheel Police Station (PS) officer-in-charge (OC) Golam Mortuza sought an unconditional apology over police's dissatisfactory role in shutting down a panjabi shop in the capital's Mogbazar area.
He appeared in person before the court of Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman and submitted a written statement on Sunday.
On 25 March, the same court had summoned him and gave him three days to explain the matter regarding the closure of the shop named 'Nobin Fashion' at Bishal Centre. The court also instructed the OC to visit the spot within 24 hours and reopen the shop. Earlier, the CMM issued a 'suo moto' order.
Prosecutor Jamal Uddin Marjin said the OC appeared before the court. He submitted his statement, and sought an unconditional apology. The court heard his statement.
He added that on the day of the shop closure, several individuals introduced themselves as friends or relatives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The court sought the prosecution's opinion regarding them.
According to reports, a video of the incident went viral on social media on 20 March, a day before the Eid-ul-Fitr. The footage showed that the neighbouring shop traders forced the closure of 'Nobin Fashion' for selling panjabis at lower prices. The local shopkeepers reportedly objected the shop's low-cost sale of items, comparing it to "relief distribution".

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com