Untrained cop plied vessel, pressure on to suppress probe report

This was gathered from police sources yesterday though officials concerned declined to disclose contents of the probe report.

A three-member probe body led by ASP Abu Sufian of Jhalakati Sadar has submitted its report on the incident after a two-week investigation.

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The patrol boat with 10 policemen of Jahalakati Sadar thana sank at the confluence of Dhansiri, Suganha and Bishkhali rivers when it hit a passenger launch, MV Belayet. Six firearms and 400 bullets were also missing. They were going to Ponabalia for an operation.

Eight cops swam shore but ASI Nizamuddin and ASI Mahtab Hossain drowned and their bodies were recovered after three and six days respectively. The patrol boat, arms and ammunition are yet to be recovered.

The report said Constable Abdur Rahim (C.No-367) who was plying the patrol boat had no navigation license and training.

The patrol boat driver, Kabir, was removed from duty and Rahim was posted there allegedly through irregularity.

The sources claimed that high police officials who did the irregularity are now creating pressure on the probe body to "suppress or change" the report.

This has created a dilemma among high police officials and the report has not yet been officially accepted by the authorities concerned, they said.

The Jhalakathi DI-1 and the OC DB, two other members of the inquiry team, when contacted however denied that there was any pressure to change the report. They declined to disclose the report but admitted that it has been submitted.

The SP and the ASP of Jhalakati could not be contacted.