A municipal official has been accused of pouring milk over the head of a milk seller in Bhola’s Lalmohan after allegedly finding water mixed with the milk. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism.

The video circulating on social media shows Lalmohan Municipality slaughterhouse inspector Jamal Patowary speaking to a milk seller at Lalmohan municipal market over an allegation of mixing water with milk. At one point, he pours the contents of a milk container over the seller’s head. Several people standing nearby witnessed the incident.

The incident triggered anger among local residents. Many described the act as inhumane and humiliating treatment of an ordinary citizen and termed it a violation of human rights.

Locals said that if milk adulteration or water mixing is proven, there are provisions under existing laws for imposing fines and taking legal action. However, publicly humiliating someone in such a manner is unacceptable, they said. They also demanded a proper investigation and appropriate action against those responsible.

Regarding the incident, Lalmohan Municipality slaughterhouse inspector Mohammad Jamal Patowary gave a different account. He said the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) inspected the slaughterhouse on Wednesday morning and instructed officials to test the milk. Milk sold by Monju, a seller from the Phulbagicha area of Lalmohan Union, was tested and found to contain water.

Jamal Patowary said Monju left the milk behind and fled at the time. Later, he returned and started selling the same water-mixed milk again. He said that, at the request of people present there, he poured the milk over Monju’s head so that he would not repeat such an act.

Lalmohan Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Sifat Bin Sadek said he was unaware of the incident involving milk being poured over the seller’s head. “I learned about it from you. The matter will be discussed with the concerned authorities and action will be taken according to the rules.”