Man arrested over extortion of Ctg fruit vendors

Police have filed a case against three people over allegations of extorting money from roadside seasonal fruit vendors in Chattogram's Halishahar area and arrested the prime accused.

Halishahar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kazi Muhammad Sultan Ahsan Uddin said the case was filed on 3 July based on a complaint lodged by an affected trader, and the prime accused Monjur Alam Monju was later arrested during a raid last night (4 July). 

According to local traders and police, vendors selling seasonal fruits on footpaths in Halishahar had long been forced to pay money regularly to continue operating their businesses.

The issue escalated recently after the amount allegedly demanded from vendors was increased and several traders refused to pay. 

Police said this led to an altercation during which the vendors were allegedly assaulted and their goods were scattered.

Following the incident, an affected trader filed the case with Halishahar Police Station on 3 July against Monju and two others.

The matter drew public attention after a video circulated on social media showing a man collecting money from footpath vendors. The video went viral, prompting police to launch an investigation.

Some local traders and residents alleged that Monju introduced himself as a BNP leader while collecting money from vendors. They also claimed he identified himself as a prospective councillor candidate for Chattogram City Corporation's Ward-26.

However, the OC rejected those claims, saying police records do not identify Monju as a BNP leader or a councillor candidate.

He added that investigators are verifying the allegations, while efforts are underway to arrest the remaining two accused. 

Police are also investigating whether any other individuals or organised groups were involved in the alleged extortion racket, the OC further added.