Assault by extortionists triggers protest
The staff of Lalmonirhat Pourasave (municipality) yesterday observed work stoppage for three hours from 10:00am protesting assault on one of their colleagues by a gang of illegal toll collectors.
As many as 137 staff of the municipality brought out a procession in the town and held a rally on their office premises at 1:30pm.
At the rally, the speakers demanded arrest of the culprits within the next 24 hours. Otherwise, they threatened to launch a tougher agitation programme.
Pourasava office sources said a gang of five led by former secretary of BCL Lalmoinrhat pourasava unit Masum Shikder beat up jeep driver Anwar Hossain in front of the office at around 9:00am as he refused to give them illegal toll.
Anwar told this correspondent that Masum Shikder and four others intercepted him while he was going to bring the mayor from his residence and demanded Tk 5,000. "As I refused to oblige, they beat me him up and left the scene."
Anwar filed a case with Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station against Masum and four others. None of the accused was arrested as of filing of this report at 6:00pm yesterday.
Contacted, president of Lalmonirhat district BCL Abdul Khaleque Babu said Masum Shikder was a local BCL leader four years ago. Now he is not involved with student politics.
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