Alleged extortion by police in Satkhira

Police on Saturday night picked up 18 people in connection with the robbery at a schoolteacher's house in Mirzapur village in Tala upazila, committed on the previous night by a gang impersonating RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) members.

Later police released 14 of the arrested people, allegedly after taking bribe, one of them claimed seeking anonymity.

Six Union Parishad Chairmen in the area protested the "mass arrest" and demanded release of the arrested people. They alleged that police arrested innocent people instead of the culprits and realised money from them.

On Friday night, a gang of robbers identifying themselves as RAB members entered the house of schoolteacher Bibhuti Bhusan, blasted seven hand bombs to create panic and looted cash and valuables worth Tk 1.5 lakh. Bibhuti filed a case with Tala thana.

The four still held were produced before court. They are Majibar, Pir Ali, Kartik Mondal and Azibar.