Police have launched an investigation after the water supply at the Alinagar Police Outpost in Chattogram's Jungle Salimpur was suspected to have been contaminated with poison or another toxic chemical substance.
The incident came to light on Sunday after three police personnel fell ill apparently after drinking water from the outpost.
Chattogram Superintendent of Police (SP) Md Masud Alam said personnel on duty noticed unusual foam and a strong stench in the water being used at the joint forces camp. Similar signs were later found in the camp's water tank, while an empty container believed to have contained a poisonous substance was recovered from the area.
"We cannot confirm yet whether it was poison, pesticide or any other chemical substance. The matter will be clear after receiving the laboratory report," he said.
Mohammad Mohinul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sitakunda Police Station, said three camp members noticed white foam while pouring water into a glass but did not initially consider it suspicious and drank the water. They later detected a strong chemical smell and soon fell ill.
The OC said the camp receives its drinking water through a pipeline connected to a nearby house.
Investigators suspect someone may have tampered with the supply line and mixed a chemical substance into the water.
Following the incident, water samples were collected and sent for laboratory testing, while the entire water tank was emptied and cleaned, he said, adding that the condition of the three affected police personnel is now stable and they are out of danger.
"The matter is under investigation," the OC said.
A temporary joint forces camp comprising personnel from the police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been established in the Salimpur jungle of Sitakunda, an area long regarded as a hideout for criminal and militant groups, to strengthen law and order.
On March 9, law enforcement agencies took control of the Salimpur jungle during a joint operation involving around 3,200 members of the Bangladesh Army, RAB, police and BGB.
Previous operations had failed to secure the area, with police and government officials coming under attack during earlier attempts.
On May 25, unidentified attackers targeted the joint forces camp under construction in the Alinagar area of Salimpur jungle, damaging it with an explosive device.
Later, a case was filed with Sitakunda Police Station over the incident, naming 242 people and accusing another 150 to 200 unidentified individuals.
However, the prime accused, Yasin, the alleged leader of the Yasin group, remains at large.