Two govt officials flee homes after death threats from outlaws

The Project Implementation Officer of Fakirhat upazila, Samarjit Sen, who suffered a heart stroke following death threats from three extortionists on refusal to pay illegal toll amounting to Tk 5 lakh, is still scared to join work after recovery.

Criminals handed over a letter to him on January 28 giving him a 24- hour deadline to pay the toll or face death anytime on way to office. Samajit is determined not to pay toll to the extortionists. 'It is better to resign from service than to bow down to the criminals,' Sen told The Daily Star requesting not to disclose his present address in Khulna city. He is even afraid of seeking security of his life from police.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Another government official, Martuza Hossain Babul who is he Accounts Officer of Fakirhat upazila is also scared of going back to office after the Eid vacation. He also received a death threat from the same group of extortionists on the same day.

Martuza's whereabouts is still unknown to police and his office colleagues.

'We are hunting the extortionists belonging to an outlawed party although the two officials did not lodge any complaint to police,' said the concerned Officer-in-Charge (OC).