RAB men allegedly demand Tk 20m ransom from a youth
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) detained a youth named Tamzid Hossain, 27. They called Tamzid’s sister and threatened to place him in ‘crossfire’. The sister was asked to provide Tk 20 million as ransom to save Tamzid.
Law enforcers of Hatirjheel police station under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested four members of RAB and a woman for abducting the youth and demanding ransom. The RAB men include three from the army and one from the air force. A member of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been absconding after the incident.
The police informed a court that they handed over arrested lance corporal Dulal Mridha, sainik Rukan Mia, lance corporal Md Roni and sainik Sagor to their respective forces.
Chief metropolitan magistrate court has granted two day remand for another arrested Ranu Begum over the incident.
DMP commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam confirmed the matter to Prothom Alo.
He said a regular case has been filed over the incident while four RAB members have been handed over to their respective forces. The forces would put them into trial as per their own law.
Tamzid’s younger sister Raiyana Hossain filed the case with Hatirjheel police station at 12:10am on Thursday. Names of the accused were not mentioned in the case. The police station did not also provide details of the accused.
According to the case statement, Tamzid left his home for Uttara at around 9:00am on Thursday. An unknown person identifying himself as a senior official of RAB called his sister at around 12:00am and said Tamzid has been detained by the elite force.
He also asked Tamzid’s sister not to inform the police or detective branch and hung up the phone.
Raiyana said she tried to call at the number repeatedly but the calls were not picked up.
“That person called me again at around 1:30pm and told me that senior officials of RAB are interrogating my elder brother and arms and narcotics cases would be filed against him,” Raiyana said in case statement.
While she asked about her brother’s whereabouts, the person said, “It can’t be disclosed. He might be placed in crossfire. Prepare Tk 20 million if you want him alive.”
After some time, Raiyana received another call from the person and she could talk with her brother.
“My brother as crying and told that he has been blindfolded and beaten mercilessly. He was pleading for his life. Two or three more persons called from that number and asked if I could manage the money they demanded. I told them we are too poor to arrange such huge amount of money. At one stage, the person identifying as RAB’s high official asked me go to Jamuna Future Park with Tk 1.2 million. He threatened to kill my brother if I inform the police or detective branch.”
Raiyana did not want to comment about the incident while this correspondent called her mobile number.
RAB spokesperson commander Khandaker Al Moyeen told Prothom Alo that police had informed them about arresting four RAB men and handed over the accused persons to them at around 3:30pm.
RAB is investigating the incident, he added.