3 burnt for ‘not paying extortion money’ in Dhaka

Three people sustained burn injuries today after a local Awami League activist allegedly hurled hot water at them for not getting extortion money in Old Dhaka.

The injured are Rob Pradhan, 60, his son Abdus Salam, 29, and a passer-by whose identity could not be known yet, reports our correspondent visiting the spot.

They are undergoing treatment at the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

Maruf Hossain Khoka, an activist of Ward No. 29 unit of AL, hurled boiling water when Pradhan refused to pay the extortion money he demanded in East Islambagh area around 2:00pm.

Pradhan, general secretary of a shop owners’ association in Islambagh, alleged that Khoka demanded Tk 10 lakh as extortion money from him four days ago over construction of a six-story building by his cousin in the area.

Khoka also threatened to demolish the building if his demand is not made, he added.

DMCH doctors said Rob Pradhan sustained nine percent burn injuries, while Abdus Salam and the passer-by sustained two percent and four percent respectively.

Confirming the incident, Shamim-ur-Rashid Talukder, officer-in-charge of Chawk Bazar Police Station, said Khoka has absconded after the incident.

No case has been filed in this regard yet, the OC added.