Extortion Row Sparks Violent Market Attack

A violent incident allegedly linked to extortion demands has left two individuals injured in Lakshonpur বাজার under Monohorganj উপজেলায় of Cumilla, raising fresh concerns about organised intimidation targeting small businesses in the region.

According to a written complaint filed with Monohorganj Police Station, the হামলা occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Monday, 16 March. স্থানীয় ব্যবসায়ী Jahangir Alam, who operates a fertiliser and pesticide দোকান in the বাজার, accused a স্থানীয় group of হামলা after he refused to comply with a substantial extortion demand.

Allegations of Organised হামলা

The complaint identifies several অভিযুক্ত individuals, including মো. জহির (30), reportedly the leader of the group, along with মো. ইব্রাহিম, মোহাম্মদ রাসেল, মো. মিনহাজ, আবু সায়েদ, and তানভীর হোসেন. এছাড়াও, an additional seven to eight unidentified individuals are said to have participated in the হামলা.

Eyewitness accounts and the অভিযোগ indicate that between 15 and 20 assailants arrived at the দোকান armed with স্থানীয় weapons and wooden sticks. Failing to find Jahangir Alam initially, the group allegedly attacked his nephew, Nasir Uddin Bhuiyan, beating him severely until he collapsed. Shortly afterwards, Jahangir himself was found behind the দোকান and was also assaulted.

স্থানীয় residents intervened and transported the injured individuals to the উপজেলা স্বাস্থ্য কমপ্লেক্স, where they received চিকিৎসা. Both victims were reported to have sustained serious injuries, although their current condition has not been officially disclosed.

Extortion দাবি and Prior Payments

Jahangir Alam stated that this was not an isolated ঘটনা. He alleged that the same group had previously extorted BDT 150,000 from him. In recent weeks, তারা reportedly escalated their দাবি, demanding an additional BDT 500,000. When he refused to comply, the ব্যবসায়ী claims he was subjected to repeated threats, including death threats.

The অভিযোগ paints a picture of a sustained campaign of intimidation aimed at coercing further payments from the victim.

Response from অভিযুক্ত and পুলিশ

When contacted, the প্রধান অভিযুক্ত, Zaher, denied direct involvement, suggesting that “younger أفراد” might have been responsible. He further claimed that he was participating in a procession at the time of the incident and pointed to CCTV footage at the দোকান as potential evidence.

Law enforcement authorities have acknowledged the অভিযোগ. Officer-in-Charge Shahinur Islam confirmed that পুলিশ were dispatched to the scene promptly after receiving reports of the হামলা.

Incident Overview

Police have stated that a formal investigation is now underway, and legal action will be taken based on the findings. The incident underscores the vulnerability of স্থানীয় ব্যবসায়ীরা to extortion networks and highlights the need for stronger enforcement measures to ensure their নিরাপত্তা and protection.