Road Construction Stopped in Patuakhali
AL man among 4 sued on extortion charge
Extortionists injured a construction firm manager and a female labourer and stopped road construction work at Showla in Baufal upazila under the district on Tuesday as the contractor refused to give them Tk 50,000.
The injured, Shajahan Howlader, 32, manager of Nahian Enterprize, the construction firm, and its labourer Jahanara Begum, 40, were admitted to Baufal upazila health complex.
Shajahan Howlader filed a case with Baufal police station on Tuesday night accusing four people including Fazle Elahi, member of Kalaiya union unit of ruling Awami League.
According to the case statement, a gang of extortionists led by Fazle Elahi demanded Tk 50,000 to the contractor when Nahian Enterprize started the work of herringbone bond (bricks works) on one kilometre road from Wapda to Showla Bridge at a cost of Tk 25.15 lakh two weeks ago.
At about 11:00am on Tuesday, the gang went to the site and demanded money to firm manager Shahjahan Howlader. As he refused to meet their demand, the extortionists beat him and Jahanara Begum, and stopped the work.
"The gang was demanding Tk 50,000 from the beginning of the work. Lastly they stopped the construction," said contractor Mosharef Hossen, also the owner of Nahian Enterprize.
Ibrahim Khalil, deputy assistant engineer of LGED (Local Government Engineering Department), also confirmed that the road construction work has remained stopped after the incident.
When contacted, Noresh Chandra Karmaker, OC of Baufal police station, said a case has been recorded and lawful step will be taken after proper investigation.
Denying the allegation of demanding any money from the construction firm, Fazle Elahi, alleged leader of the gang, said the firm manager filed the case to harass him.
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