‘Extortionist’ killed allegedly by angry traders

An alleged extortionist was killed and his accomplice injured as a mob of local traders attacked them in Railway Bazar of Pahartali in Chattogram on Monday morning.

The victims is named as Mahiuddin Sohel, who, local siources said, was a former general secretary of ruling Awami League-backed Bangladesh Chhatra League's (BCL) Chittagong Government Commerce College unit.

According to police and witnesses, the followers of Sohel captured a trader of Pahartali Bazar and confined him at a nearby house on Sunday night. The trader was released later upon payment of certain amount.

The witnesses said Osman Khan, a member of traders' association, went to the house of Sohel to protest against the incident. Sohel attacked Osman and broke his head. Seeing Osman bleeding, other traders laid a siege at the house, but they could not enter the house as the gate was locked.

Some unidentified men then set fire to Sohel’s house. At that time, Sohel came out. The trader beat up him and his accomplice, the witnesses added.

Members of Double Mooring police station rescued Sohel and his accomplice and sent them to Chattogram Medical College Hospital where physicians declared Sohel dead.

Double Mooring police station officer-in-charge AKM Mahiuddin told Prothom Alo that Sohel was critically injured in mob beating and died after he was admitted to the hospital.

Quoting the traders, he said the incident took place as repercussion to extortion.

A murder case will be filed in connection with the incident, the OC added.

Railway Bazar Traders' Welfare Association joint secretary Nurun Nabi said some angry traders beat Sohel for extorting money from them from time to time.