Ctg Correspondent
Chattogram District Police have arrested seven alleged members of an extortion gang accused of demanding money and issuing threats using foreign phone numbers and WhatsApp while impersonating notorious criminals in Hathazari and Bayezid Bostami.
Three more people were arrested in connection with clashes and the public display of firearms during separate programmes marking the 48th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Sitakunda. Police also recovered locally made weapons and a firearm.
Chattogram District Police Superintendent (SP) Md Masud Alam disclosed the information at a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon at the Chattogram District Police Office in the Nasirabad 2 No. Gate area.
According to the SP, a physician in Amanbazar, Hathazari, was threatened over the phone and asked to pay Tk 10 lakh in extortion money, while a businessman in Baradighi Par was also allegedly threatened over a foreign number.
Following complaints, Hathazari Police launched an investigation and identified the alleged gang members through information technology analysis, intelligence sources and information obtained from previously arrested criminals David Imon and Kala Mobarak.
Police said the suspects allegedly used the names of criminals, including David Imon, Kala Mobarak, Boro Sazzad and Raihan, to extort businessmen and affluent individuals through foreign mobile numbers and WhatsApp.
A special operation began at 2:00am on September 7 and continued for 24 hours in areas under Hathazari, Bayezid Bostami and Khulshi police stations. The seven arrested were Kamrul Hasan alias Sagar, 25; Md Riku, 25; Md Tarikul Islam alias Rohit, 20; Ahmadullah alias Masum Member, 40; Ahmad Reza Shakil, 25; Md Manik, 40; and Nurul Alam, 40.
Police recovered one sword, one machete, one knife, one tip-chhora and four mobile phones containing foreign numbers allegedly used in the extortion activities.
SP Masud Alam said Ahmad Reza Shakil has eight cases against him, including two under the Arms Act, two extortion cases, one kidnapping case, one under the Anti-Terrorism Act, one related to preparation for robbery and one attempted murder case. Md Manik has two cases, while Kamrul Hasan alias Sagar, Md Riku, Md Tarikul Islam alias Rohit and Ahmadullah alias Masum Member each have three cases, including two extortion cases and one under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Meanwhile, tensions between two groups in Sitakunda over separate BNP anniversary programmes on September 1 led to chases, counter-chases and clashes. Photos and videos showing firearms and locally made weapons later circulated on social media and in the media.
Police arrested Sadek, 29, Kamrul, 39, and Hanif, 34, in connection with the incident and recovered 11 sharp knives, three kiriches, one dao, 15 sticks and one locally made single-barrel cut-down firearm.
SP Masud Alam said efforts to identify others involved in the arms display and clashes are continuing.
“Chattogram District Police will not tolerate any form of criminal activity, extortion or display of illegal firearms. Regardless of the political identity, group or affiliation used by an offender, no one will be given any exemption,” he said.
Legal proceedings against the arrested individuals are underway at the respective police stations. #EK
