Barguna Correspondent //

Police have arrested a leader of the Upazila Volunteer Party in Taltoli, Barguna, on charges of extortion. He was arrested from Charpara in the upazila on Tuesday afternoon.

The arrested person is named Jahirul (31). He is member number 14 of the Upazila Volunteer Party Convener Committee.

Taltoli Police Station OC Shahjalal confirmed the matter on Tuesday night.

According to local sources, Rakib, a resident of Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali, has been cultivating watermelons in Taltoli by renting someone else’s land. A few days ago, he sold the watermelons produced in his field to a wholesaler. When the wholesaler came to collect watermelons from the field on Tuesday afternoon, Jahirul demanded a ransom of 20,000 taka from him. The wholesaler immediately reported the matter to the Taltoli Police Station. At that time, a team from Taltoli Police Station arrived at the scene and arrested Zahirul. Later in the evening, the watermelon farmer filed a case against Zahirul at Taltoli Police Station. Later, the volunteer party leader was arrested in that case.

Watermelon farmer Rakib said that when the wholesaler came to collect watermelons in the afternoon, a few people came together and demanded extortion. Since I am not a local of Barguna, I do not know anyone. However, the police arrested a person named Zahirul from the scene.

Barguna District Volunteer Party Convener Rajibul Islam Sohel said, “We have heard about the arrest of Zahirul. We are investigating the matter. If Zahirul is involved in any wrongdoing using his party position and title, organizational action will be taken against him.”

Taltoli Police Station OC Shahjalal said, “The police arrested Zahirul from the scene after receiving information about the extortion demand. Initially, the truth about the extortion demand has been found. The watermelon farmer who was affected by the incident has filed a case with the police station. Legal action is in the process of being taken against Zahirul. Efforts are underway to arrest others involved in the incident.’

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