A local Shramik Dal leader and his associates allegedly abducted and brutally assaulted a businessman, breaking his hands and legs, after he refused to pay extortion money in Bera Upazila of Pabna.
The victim, Mizanur Rahman, 40, is a resident of Bera Municipality and the son of Alhaj Monjel Khan. Mizanur, who runs hotel and transport businesses, was abducted from the Bera C&B area on Tuesday morning and is now receiving treatment at Pabna General Hospital.
The primary accused has been identified as Ripon Sardar, 35, the Organising Secretary of Santhia Upazila Shramik Dal.
According to the written complaint, Mizanur and his brother, Golam Mostafa, are constructing a market in the C&B Bus Stand area. On 19 June, Ripon and his associates allegedly demanded Tk3 lakh in extortion, threatening the brothers with death if the amount was not paid within two to three days.
When the demand was not met, Ripon Sardar and several others forcibly took Rahman to the office of Karamja Bazar Merchant Association President Moharam Sardar at around 10:30am on Tuesday.
The victim’s family alleged that Mizanur was severely beaten with pipes, resulting in broken limbs and various injuries across his body. The attackers also reportedly looted two gold rings weighing approximately 1.5 bhori (valued at 3.5 lakh Taka) and Tk20,000 in cash before releasing him.
The family further noted that following the political transition on 5 August 2024, Ripon and Moharam had previously demanded money from them. At that time, the matter was resolved through Army intervention, where the accused provided a written undertaking promising to refrain from such activities. However, the extortion demands recently resumed.
Responding to the allegations, Ripon Sardar denied the charges of extortion and theft, claiming that he retaliated after being attacked first. He added that the victim’s family continues to act with an “Awami League-era mentality”.
Bera Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nayan Kumar Sarkar confirmed that a written complaint has been received. “Police have visited the spot. A case will be formally registered, and legal action will be taken following a thorough investigation,” the OC said.
