Extortion now the order of the day in 3 SW districts
Extortion by criminal gangs has become the order of the day in three southwestern (SW) districts.
Around 50 such incidents took place in Kushtia, Meherpur and Chuadanga since November 1, according to police and victims.
Criminals mostly belonging to different outlawed parties demanded tolls from different sections of people including service holders, businessmen, contractors and teachers. They also threatened them with dire consequences if refused to comply with, the victims said.
In most cases, they made phone calls and demanded illegal toll from them.
At least 25 cases of extortion were recorded with the police in three districts during the period, police said.
Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Kushtia superintendent of police (SP) Sahabuddin Khan admitted the spate of extortion and said they have taken a number of measures to tackle the menace. At least, 15 extortionists were arrested in the three districts during the period of one and a half months, he added.
Sources said an extortionist demanded Tk 14 lakh from Islamic University treasurer Prof Shajahan Ali and Tk 10 lakh from Prof Arbind Saha of accounting department over phone on December 9. The caller introduced himself as Mohiuddin, regional leader of an outlawed party.
The criminal also warned that they would kill or abduct their kids if the teachers fail to pay the amounts immediately.
In another incident, a local gang demanded Tk 2 lakh from a shopkeeper in Mujibnagar upazila in Meherpur a few days ago. As the shopkeeper expressed his inability, the gang pasted a slip on his grocery shop asking him not to open the shop till the amount is paid.
The trader closed his shop following the incident. He is now trying to reach an agreement with the criminals after paying a portion of the amount, said a relative of the trader.
A coaching centre owner in Kushtia town wishing anonymity told this correspondent that he regularly pays an amount to the hoodlums of the town to run his business.
He said the gang threatened to close his coaching centre or kidnap students in case of failure to pay timely.
Most of the victims do not dare to lodge case with the police fearing while a few of them have filed GD secretly, locals said.
At least, 25 such GDs have been filed with different police stations of the districts since November 1. Of them, 12 GDs were recorded in Kushtia, seven in Meherpur and six in Chuadanga.
“Petty criminals mostly commit such crimes. People from outside the districts are also involved in extortion," said the Kushtia SP.
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