Extortion on Sylhet river route: 7 arrested including self-proclaimed coordinator

Members of RAB-9 has arrested seven individuals, including Azmal Hossain, who had introduced himself as a “coordinator,” in connection with an extortion case on the river route in Gowainghat, Sylhet.

The arrested were handed over to Gowainghat police on Sunday (August 10) afternoon.

Earlier, the arrests were made around 3:00 AM during a raid in Shayestaganj, Habiganj, based on a tip-off.

Azmal Hossain, the prime accused in the case, is the son of Foysal Ahmed from Lengura village under the same upazila. He had been allegedly involved in extortion by halting boats and bulkheads along the river. Since August 5 of last year, he had claimed himself as the coordinator of the July uprising.

The six others arrested are Sultan Ahmed, Billal Member, Subhan, Shakil, Faruk Mia, and Foysal Moulovi. All of them are from Lengura village in Gowainghat.

According to sources, under Azmal’s leadership, the group extorted money by intercepting boats and bulkhead vessels. A case was filed with Gowainghat Police Station by Abdul Halim, a resident of the Sadar Union, accusing them of extortion.

Acting on secret information, RAB-9 conducted an overnight operation in Shayestaganj and arrested all seven suspects.

Gowainghat Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sarkar Mohammad Tofayel Ahmed confirmed that RAB handed over the accused on Sunday. They were later sent to court.