Traders protest extortion
Hundreds of traders of Pabna Hosiery Market in Chartala area yesterday brought out a procession protesting extortion.
Two extortionists demanded Tk. 10 thousand from a trader on the day and beat him as he refused to pay the money.
Traders said two extortionists came to the shop of Md. Abdul Gaffar, a hosiery trader, about 2pm yesterday and started beating him mercilessly. Other traders of the market rushed to the spot and chased the criminals.
Protesting the incident, traders of the market brought out a procession in the afternoon. They also shut their shops demanding punishment of the extortionists.
Md. Saiful Islam Fuad, president of Pabna district unit hosiery association said criminals often demand illegal toll from the traders. The incidents increased with the nearing of Eid, he said.
The traders often do not dare to protest the extortionists for the sake of their business, he added.
Contacted, officer-in-charge of Pabna police station Md. Motiur Rahman said the traders often do not inform police about extortion.
"We will certainly take step against the criminals if we get any complain, he said.
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