Patuakhali Correspondent
A trader in Baufal has alleged that a Jubo Dal activist demanded Tk 3 lakh in extortion, locked his shop and threatened to kill him.
The trader, Md Naim Hossain, 30, filed a written complaint with Baufal Police Station on Thursday against Syed Md Sohag, son of Abdus Salam of Launch Ghat area.
Naim, son of Md Bablu Chowkidar of Purba Kalaia village, runs a pesticide shop and trolley business at Shaula Tarer Pol Bazar in Kalaia Union. He also cultivates watermelons seasonally.
According to the complaint, Sohag had been demanding Tk 3 lakh from Naim since the last watermelon season. As Naim refused to pay, Sohag allegedly locked his pesticide shop with a group of people about 20 days ago. Naim later broke the lock with the help of local people and resumed his business.
The complaint said Sohag subsequently demanded money from Naim and his father several times. On Tuesday, September 15, he allegedly demanded extortion from Naim, abused him in obscene language and threatened to kill him.
Naim said he had been using his trolley vehicles for ploughing and transporting watermelons and that Sohag had demanded Tk 1 for each watermelon transported. He said Sohag locked his shop when he refused to pay and later threatened him with death.
Naim's father, Md Babul Chowkidar, said Sohag recently called him to the shop of oil trader Hasan at Tarer Pol Bazar and demanded money from his son for operating trolley vehicles, transporting watermelons and doing business in the market. He said he refused to pay and later received further demands and threats over the phone.
Asked about the allegations, Jubo Dal activist Syed Md Sohag said that during last year's watermelon season, his brother-in-law had transported watermelons from 35 acres of land using Naim's vehicles. He claimed that Naim had agreed to pay him Tk 1 for each watermelon but did not pay the money, leading to the dispute.
Sohag, however, denied locking Naim's shop or threatening him.
Sub-Inspector Md Mofizul Islam, the preliminary investigation officer, said he could not visit the spot due to his busy schedule. He said he would visit the site on Friday and take legal action based on the investigation.
Baufal Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Sirajul Islam said they had received the complaint and would take action if the investigation found the extortion allegation to be true. #EK
