Residents in Lalmonirhat formed a human chain on the morning of August 9 to protest an attack on college instructor Ariful Islam, 35, whom they say was targeted for opposing drug use and gambling. The demonstration took place on Mogalhat Tempo Stand Road in Sadar upazila, with participants demanding the swift arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved. Ariful is an instructor at Lalmonirhat Government Technical School and College and a 41st BCS non-cadre officer.

According to the case complaint, Ariful was ambushed on August 1 while returning home from work. The complaint alleges that Rohidul Islam, Hasan Ali, Masud Ali and others from Gandhamarua in Durgapur union, Aditmari upazila, had long operated online gambling and casino activities in the area. Ariful had reportedly raised awareness against gambling, urged those involved to stop, and warned that he would inform police if it continued.

The complaint says attackers beat him with iron rods and struck his head and body with sharp weapons, leaving him seriously injured. His father said Ariful had not regained consciousness after nine days and was receiving critical care at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. A case names 10 people, including six online gambling operators, but police had made no arrests after seven days. The officer in charge said raids were under way.