Police arrest 3 for attack on under-construction building over unpaid extortion

Police have arrested three individuals in connection with a case filed over an extortion demand, attack and vandalism at the under-construction building of a businessman in Hathazari, Chattogram. The arrest was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon by Hathazari Model Police Station's Investigation Officer (OC) Mostaq Ahmed Chowdhury.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Md Abu Talha (26), son of the late Imam Hossain from Ward No. 5 of Sadar upazila in Sirajganj; Md Asif (25), son of Yusuf from the Tanery Bottol area in Bayezid Bostami Police Station, Chattogram; and Saidul Islam (24), also known as Arif, son of the late Faridul Alam from the Aman Bazar area of Dakkhin Pahartali in Hathazari upazila.

It is known that businessman Jasim Uddin filed a case on Monday, naming 8-9 unidentified individuals over the extortion demand and attack. Following the filing of the case, the alleged criminals reportedly demanded Tk 50 lakh instead of the original Tk 20 lakh and made death threats over the phone.

In response, local businessmen and residents held a human chain protest on Tuesday at the Baro Dighirpar area in Chikandandi Union of Hathazari upazila.

The protesters said such intimidation and extortion of a businessman are alarming for law and order. They demanded a fair investigation, identification and legal action against those involved, and security for the victim and his family.

Hathazari Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Kazi Mohammad Tarek Aziz told Samakal that after the case was filed, three arrestees have been held from the Bayezid Police Station area. They have admitted their direct involvement in the incident. Operations are ongoing to arrest the remaining accused.