Desk Report,
Extortionist posing as journalist in Meherpur, handed over to police after mob beating
A man was beaten up by locals in Gangni, Meherpur, on charges of extortion in the name of a journalist. The incident took place in Banshbaria village of the upazila on Tuesday afternoon.
Extortionist posing as journalist in Meherpur, handed over to police after mob beating
The man’s name is Abdur Rauf. He is a resident of Mallikpara, Meherpur municipality.
Some eyewitnesses said that Abdur Rauf had been demanding Tk 20,000 from Banshbaria’s polyclinic doctor Abdul Mabud. Rauf threatened to publish a report against Mabud in a local newspaper if he did not pay this money. After demanding extortion on his mobile phone, some people in the area beat him up when he went to collect the extortion yesterday afternoon. Later, when he informed the army camp, the army members rescued Rauf.
Abdul Mabud told Prothom Alo that Rauf had been demanding extortion for several months by threatening to be arrested by the police, army and RAB. Rauf said on his mobile phone that everyone has to be managed with money. If you don’t pay, Mabud will not be allowed to treat you. Yesterday, when he came to collect money, the people of the area got agitated. At that time, Rauf was caught and beaten.
When we went to inquire about Abdur Rauf, some people from Mallikpara said that Rauf had been committing such fraud for a long time. Earlier, when he went to collect money by posing as a fake doctor, the mob tied him up and beat him up. Later, a mobile court sent him to jail on charges of fraud.
In this incident, the case against Rauf is under process, said Gangni Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Bani Israel. He said that the army has handed over the fake journalist to the police.
