A driver was allegedly assaulted and held captive after a group of men put up a road barricade and intercepted his vehicle in Maheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Thursday night.
The incident reportedly took place around 9:45pm in the Marakkaghona, Maijpara and Yunuskhali areas of Kalarma Chhara Union.
The victim, Abu Taher, said a group of men on motorcycles, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and tomtoms chased him from Yunuskhali Bazar and intercepted his vehicle at Marakkaghona. They allegedly beat him and took Tk34,000 in consignment money belonging to a shopkeeper, Tk27,000 from a land sale, as well as other cash.
He was allegedly taken to Yunuskhali Bazar after being assaulted. His family members later arrived and appealed for his release. According to the family, the alleged attackers fled after learning that police were on their way.
Police later rescued Taher and sent him to Kalarma Chhara for treatment. As his condition deteriorated, he was taken to Maheshkhali Upazila Health Complex.
Local residents alleged that the incident involved around 10–12 people and claimed that some of those involved had links to the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League. The allegations, however, have yet to be independently verified.
Taher’s family has demanded the recovery of the allegedly looted Tk61,000, compensation for medical expenses and legal action against those responsible. They also filed a written complaint with Maheshkhali Police Station.
ASI Hanif of the Kalarma Chhara Police Camp said police rescued Taher from Yunuskhali Bazar and sent him to hospital for treatment.
Maheshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdus Sultan said a written complaint had been filed and that action would be taken following an investigation.
