Seven rented rooms in the Salimpur Banglabazar area of Sitakunda, Chattogram, were reportedly vandalised and looted after the owner refused to pay Tk 1.3 million in extortion money. The incident took place on Sunday (13 September), with the occupants and owner alleging that an armed group cut through doors, windows and corrugated iron sheets before taking away property worth around Tk 1 million.
Mohammad Babul Khan, the owner of the rented rooms, alleged that the attackers had demanded Tk 1.3 million from him. According to his account, they branded him a ‘fascist’ and threatened him with serious consequences if he failed to pay the money.
The alleged threat was explicit: either pay the demanded amount or leave the area.
Babul Khan said he refused to comply with the demand. Following that refusal, the attackers allegedly entered the rented premises and began damaging the structures. Doors and windows were cut, corrugated iron sheets were removed and various items were taken away. The group also allegedly damaged the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at the premises.
The victim claimed that property worth approximately Tk 1 million was looted during the incident. The reported losses include different household and structural materials kept at the rented premises. The damage to the rooms themselves has also added to the financial loss faced by the owner.
Babul Khan further alleged that he had informed Sitakunda Model Police Station in writing about the armed individuals two days before the incident. Despite making the complaint, he said, he did not receive the assistance he had expected from the police.
Speaking about the alleged threats, Babul Khan said the attackers told him, “You are a fascist. Pay Tk 1.3 million in extortion or leave the area.” He said the situation had left him deeply concerned about the safety of his family and son.
“I am in severe insecurity with my family and my son,” he said, describing the incident and the threats that preceded it.
The incident prompted police to visit the area after the reported vandalism and looting. Officers recovered several items from the premises, including corrugated iron sheets, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and iron angles. Police also seized equipment allegedly used for cutting metal and took the recovered materials to the Fouzdarhat Police Outpost.
Rubel Afrad, in-charge of the Fouzdarhat Police Outpost, said police went to the scene after receiving information about the incident. During the visit, officers recovered a metal-cutting tool, some corrugated iron sheets and iron angles, among other items.
According to Afrad, the people allegedly involved in the vandalism fled after seeing the police arrive. He also confirmed that the rented rooms belonged to a man named Babul Khan.
The allegations involve a reported extortion demand, threats, property damage and the removal of goods from the rented premises. The victim has also raised questions over the response to his earlier written complaint to the police.
The incident has left the property owner concerned about his family’s safety and the security of his premises. While police have recovered several items from the site, details of any arrests or further legal action against those accused were not provided in the information available.
