The Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) of police has arrested seven members of a syndicate that allegedly controlled ambulance services at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
The arrests were made on Saturday afternoon during operations conducted in various areas of the hospital premises.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Omed Ali (26) of the city’s Fatepur area; Rana Mia (34) and Maruf Hossain (26) of Dhap Kellaband; Biplob Mia (24) of Hajirhat; Farhad Hossain (42) of Parshuram; Arafat Hossain Opel (22) of Chiklibhata; and Raju Mia (40) of Kaunia.
Rangpur Metropolitan Detective Police Deputy Commissioner Sanatan Chakraborty said the arrested individuals forced patients and their relatives arriving from different districts to hire specific ambulances at inflated fares. If their demands were not met, the syndicate blocked access to other ambulances.
This caused financial losses and severe hardship for those seeking medical care. Interrogations have provided important information, which has guided ongoing operations.
He added that a powerful ambulance syndicate remains active at the hospital. Anyone attempting to exploit people in humanitarian sectors such as healthcare will face strict legal action. The DB will continue its operations against hospital-based brokerage, extortion, overcharging, and harassment.
