Seven rented homes in the Salimpur Banglabazar area of Sitakunda, Chattogram, were allegedly vandalised and looted after their owner refused to pay Tk 1.3 million in extortion. The incident took place on Sunday (13 September), with the victims claiming that an armed group cut through doors, windows and corrugated iron sheets before taking away goods worth around Tk 1 million.
Mohammad Babul Khan, the owner of the rented homes, alleged that a group of armed men demanded Tk 1.3 million from him. He said the men labelled him a ‘fascist’ and threatened him with being forced to leave the area if he did not pay.
According to Babul Khan, the men warned him: “You are a fascist. Pay Tk 1.3 million in extortion or leave the area.” He refused to comply with the demand, after which the alleged attackers targeted the seven rented rooms.
The attackers allegedly damaged the structures by cutting through doors, windows and corrugated iron sheets. They also reportedly broke the CCTV cameras installed at the premises, potentially removing an important means of documenting the incident.
The victims claimed that property worth approximately Tk 1 million was taken away during the incident. The alleged losses add to the physical damage caused to the rented rooms, leaving the owner facing both structural and financial losses.
Babul Khan also raised concerns about an earlier complaint he had made to the police. He claimed that he had submitted a written complaint to Sitakunda Model Police Station two days before the incident regarding the armed individuals and the threats he had allegedly received. However, he said he did not receive the assistance he expected from the authorities.
Following the incident, Babul Khan said he was deeply concerned about the safety of his family and son. The alleged demand for extortion, coupled with the threat to leave the area, has left him feeling insecure about remaining at the property.
Police later visited the scene after receiving information about the vandalism and alleged looting. Officers recovered several items from the area, including corrugated iron sheets, LPG cylinders and iron angles. The recovered materials were taken to the Fouzdarhat Police Outpost.
Rubel Afrad, in-charge of the Fouzdarhat Police Outpost, said police went to the location after being informed about the incident. During their visit, officers seized a metal-cutting tool, some corrugated iron sheets and iron angles, among other items.
Afrad said those who had allegedly carried out the vandalism fled after seeing the police arrive. He also confirmed that the rented rooms belonged to a man named Babul Khan.
The allegations centre on an alleged extortion demand followed by vandalism and the removal of property from the rented premises. The claim that a written complaint had been submitted to the police before the incident also forms an important part of the victim’s account.
No detailed information was immediately available on the identities of those allegedly involved, whether any arrests had been made or what further legal action had been initiated. Police have, however, recovered materials from the scene as they assess the circumstances surrounding the incident.
For Babul Khan and his family, the reported attack has raised immediate concerns over personal safety as well as the security of the property. The allegations of threats, extortion and vandalism are expected to require further investigation to establish exactly what happened and identify those responsible.
