Gunmen fire on Chittagong residence following failed 5 million taka extortion demand
Photo Collected
CHITTAGONG — Unidentified assailants opened fire at a residential building in the Hamzarbag area of Chittagong’s Panchlaish district late Monday night, allegedly to intimidate the owners after a demand for 5 million taka in extortion money went unheeded.
The incident occurred around 11 p.m. at Runa Tower, an 11-story building owned by Mohammad Yusuf, whose two sons are expatriate businessmen hailing from Fatikchhari. The building is linked to the family of Azizur Rahman Aziz, the former general secretary of the Chittagong metropolitan unit of the now-proscribed Swechchhasebak League. Aziz has been in custody since his arrest two days after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.
According to the building’s security guard, Mohammad Alamgir, two young men in casual attire approached him during a power outage. They ordered him to retreat inside the gate before firing two shots at the entrance and fleeing on foot. The gunfire drew crowds of concerned residents and prompted an immediate police response.
Building owner Mohammad Yusuf stated that the intimidation began earlier on Monday. At approximately 12 p.m., his son, Shawkat, received a voice message via WhatsApp from an international number. The caller claimed to have detailed knowledge of the family’s assets and the whereabouts of Yusuf’s children. The message issued a one-hour ultimatum to pay 5 million taka, threatening the family with death if the demand was ignored.
Panchlaish Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jahedul Islam confirmed the incident, stating that authorities are currently working to identify and apprehend the suspects. As of Tuesday afternoon, a formal case had not yet been filed with the police.
This event follows a series of extortion-related crimes in the city. On July 13, associates of a local operative named Mobarak Hossain Emon allegedly attacked a construction site in the South Pahartali ward, demanding 2 million taka. A subsequent demand for 5 million taka was made following the registration of a legal case. Emon’s associates were also accused of a similar extortion attempt on June 13, targeting an internet service provider in the Bakalia area with a demand for 20 million taka.
Local residents and business owners have repeatedly protested against the surge in such criminal activities. Mobarak Hossain Emon, who allegedly intensified his racketeering operations following the political transition in August, was arrested on July 29 in Jessore while attempting to flee to India. He is currently being held in police custody on a 10-day remand.
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