All the 17 policemen of Dhamura outpost in Wazirpur upazila in Barisal district were transferred and two others closed on Saturday following demonstrations by people after arrest of a doctor on a fake allegation of arms recovery on Thursday.

Abdur Rob, officer-in-charge of Wazirpur police station, said Subedar Shah Alam, in-charge of the outpost and Nayek Abdul Khaleque have been closed.

Sources said Nayek Abdul Khalek had arrested Chunnu, a rural medical practitioner (RMP) and medicine shop owner from the house of his father-in-law at Baherghat village on the night of March 30.

Police at first claimed that a revolver was recovered from his possession. Later they claimed that it was recovered from near his house.

Arrested Chunnu was sent to jail hajat under Section 54 of CrPC on Thursday.

But local people claimed that the allegation against Chunnu was false and the incident of arms recovery was preplanned.

They laid a siege to Dhamura police camp and put up demonstrations in the area on Thursday and Friday demanding his release and punishment of the corrupt cops.

They claimed that Chunnu was arrested following a family dispute over marriage of his sister-in-law Daisy Akter. The whole incident was masterminded by one Gias Sarder,

who wanted to marry Daisy.

As the protest processions and gatherings continued, officials from the district police administration visited the spot, closed Subedar Shah Alam and Nayek Abdul Khalek to the district police line and transferred all the 17 cops.

The incident created an uproar in the area as the village doctor had no record of being involved in any criminal activity. Local people spontaneously participated in the demonstrations that continued for two days till the actions against the policemen were announced.

Assistant Police Superintendent Nurul Islam, when contacted, said a committee has been formed to probe the matter.