A police anti-drug community meeting in Kutubpur Bazar, Shibchar upazila of Madaripur, has triggered local anger after a defendant in a student murder case was reportedly present and joined discussions. Shibchar police organized the beat-policing meeting on the afternoon of July 25. Local people alleged that Azahar Howlader, a member of the banned Kutubpur Union Awami League, sat beside police officers and participated in the discussion.

Local sources said Howlader had served a sentence in the student murder case and is also accused in a recent vehicle-burning case. They said Ward Awami League president Samad Madbar Samu and several other party activists also attended and took part in discussions with police. Shibchar police inspector (investigation) Rakibul Hasan attended as chief guest, while Sub-Inspector Riazul Rahman was the beat officer.

Opposition figures criticized the meeting, saying they had not been informed and questioning how people facing serious cases could sit publicly with law-enforcement officials. Riazul Rahman said the officers were newly assigned to the area and did not know everyone present. Officer-in-Charge Md Kamal Hossain called the alleged attendance regrettable and said police were examining the matter seriously and taking necessary action.