Extortionists rule Rajshahi New Market: Traders helpless

RAJSHAHI, Jun 14: An oragnised gang of extortionists were controlling the trade and commerce of Rajshahi New Market and surrounding markets of the city for last couples of years.

 The extortionists were realising a huge amount of illegal toll regularly from New Market, mobile phone market adjacent to New Market, the market beside Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the surrounding areas.

It is alleged, the traders of the said markets were not daring to raise their voice against the activities of those extortionists because of receiving threat from them.

It is alleged, a gang of 15 to 16 extortionists regularly realise toll from 10 to 12 shops situated at Aloka intersection near the RCCI bhaban. The same gang also realise toll from ABM mobile market in front of New Market. The leader of the extortionist gang has a chamber at this market. He lost one of his legs recently while a crude bomb which he was making blasted. A restaurant called Hotel Madrid situated at the same market has been closed due to these extortionists.

The owner of it Anil Kumar said, he was forced to close his restaurant because of the extortionists.

There is another restaurant called Morzina hotel adjacent to Anil's restaurant. It is alleged, a room adjacent to the hotel is used for selling and taking drugs and for gambling. Various brands of wines, cannabis, heroin and Yaba are available there.

The same extortionists gang used to realise toll from the office of Rajshahi Tempo Owners Association and they realise Tk 400 each from two butchers' shop every week from New Market area. The same gang has also occupied RCC's vehicle garage infront of New Market and have constructed five shops there

Nur Hossain, Officer in charge of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police of Detective Branch said, action will be taken against any person involved in extortion.