Tangail, August 3 (V7N) – Five individuals, including three local BNP figures, have been arrested in Tangail after an extortion letter, claiming to be from a so-called "killer gang," demanded Tk 5 lakh from a fish trader and issued death threats.
 
The arrests took place in the Santosh area under Tangail Municipality late on Friday night (August 1) and early Saturday morning (August 2). Among those detained are Ward‑8 BNP President Golam Rabbani, General Secretary Shah Alam Mia, and Ward‑7 General Secretary Zubayer Hossain, along with Abdullah Al Mamun and Sabbir Mia.
 
Officer-in-Charge, (OC) Tanvir Ahmed of Tangail Sadar Police confirmed to reporters that the arrests were made with assistance from the detective branch (DB).
 
Meanwhile, BNP city general secretary Ijazul Haque Sabuj has alleged that party leaders were framed in a conspiracy.
 
The fish trader, Mohammad Azaharul Islam, reportedly received an anonymous note late Thursday (July 31) via one of his employees. The letter began circulating on social media Friday morning, causing widespread alarm among traders.
 
The note warned: if the recipient shared the letter or sought legal action, arrangements would be made for his disappearance and killing. It stated that law enforcement would not always protect him, and only wise compliance would ensure the safety of his family.
 
It went on to say: “You have been in fish trade for a long time and have no competitor. Five lakh taka is nothing to you. So on Sunday, August 3, at 7 PM, bring the money in a shopping bag and leave it under the tree in front of Kagmari Mahmudul Hassan’s house where Farhad’s picture is hung.”
 
The directive left traders distraught. Authorities say investigations are underway to verify the authenticity of the letter and uncover the true perpetrators. No details were given on whether arrests were made based on direct links to the threatening note.
 
This incident has heightened concerns about rising organized intimidation and extortion, even as political leaders deny involvement. Police have assured that they will continue investigations and bring those responsible to justice.
 
END/BKC/SMA/