A mobile towel (gamcha) vendor in Kushtia’s Kumarkhali has been repeatedly targeted by local miscreants demanding an extortion of Tk. 3 lakh. The threats, issued through anonymous letters, have occurred three times over the last two months. The victim has filed complain to police.
The vendor, Rezaul Islam, 57, resides in Batikamara village of the upazila and sells towels on the streets of Kumarkhali upazila town.
In his complaint, Rezaul stated that unknown individuals broke a window of his house around 2:am on Wednesday night. Coming out of door, Rezaul discovered a handwritten letter. The letter demanded Tk. 3 lakh taka and warned that failure to pay by midnight on Thursday (February 13) or contacting the police would result in the murder of Rezaul and his two grandsons.
Rezaul lives with his family in a semi-pucca tin-roofed house, located about 200 meters from the Kushtia-Rajbari regional highway. The household includes his wife, son, daughter-in-law, daughter, and two grandsons.
The threatening letter, written in an unsteady hand, read:
“Don't be afraid. I won’t kill you today. Your two grandsons' lives are worth Tk. 3 lakh. Bring the money by midnight tomorrow (Thursday). This is my area, so don’t involve the police or anyone else if you want to stay safe. If you do, remember, Rezaul, the moment you step outside, I’ll shoot you like a bird. I could have killed you today, but I am giving you a chance. Bring the money by midnight tomorrow.”
After the incident, Rezaul is too scared to speak to journalists about the matter.
Rezaul’s daughter, Rima Khatun, expressed her distress, just saying, they are terrified.”
A neighbour, speaking on condition of anonymity that a group may be trying to force Rezaul oust from his home, as the land is highly valuable.
Confirming the complaint, Kumarkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Solaiman Sheikh stated that an investigation is underway.