Extortionists torch 13 <i>jhut</i> warehouses in city

Extortionists allegedly torched at least 13 jhut (garment by-product) warehouses early yesterday after failing to collect tolls from its owner at capital's Kafrul area under Mirpur-13.
On information, four fire fighting units rushed to the spot at around 1:00am and doused the fire after more than half an hour's effort.
However, fire brigade sources said the fire might have originated from an electric short circuit at around 12:15am.
Mohammad Alauddin, general secretary of Mirpur Jhut Samabay Samity Limited and also the owner of the damaged warehouses, claimed property worth about Tk 40 lakh was gutted in the blaze.
He said, on behalf of the Samity he built the makeshift warehouses on a roadside abandoned land nine months back.
A group of extortionists used to collect money from them since they had started the business, he claimed.
Meanwhile, other extortionist groups were also demanding money and threatening to torch the warehouses, he added.
Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kafrul police station said at 6:00pm they had received no complaint about torching of the warehouses.