A storm in a teacup

Talking to this correspondent, local people however claimed that all the arrested people are innocent.

The alleged random arrest created a panic in the village, prompting a visit by the Additional Police Superintendent to allay an arrest fear.

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The four released after alleged extortion are Ranjit, Dewan Sahfi, Dewan Sadullah and Dewan Amanullah. They made the allegation while talking to this correspondent.

All these centred nabbing of a middle-aged woman by villagers on suspicion that she was a child lifter.

On Saturday, Jahanara Begum of 33, Hosne Dalan Road in Dhaka city was taking tea at a tea stall at the village and gossiping with people around.

On suspicion the people searched her bag and found two knives, some toys, a bottle full of liquid, a flower, some candy, root of trees, nuts and chanachur.

They caught her and informed Shingair police.

A police team went there but declined to arrest her. A brawl then ensued between the locals and Sub-Inspector (SI) Sidur Rahman, SI Akter, SI Faruk and five other policemen.

At night, police raided the village and nabbed 13 people. They are Babul, Baddha, Moni Das, Sahin, Aman Ullah, Anisur, Shafiur Rahman, Rajjak, Shahadat, Liakat Ullah, Zahid, Siraj.

Local people claimed that those arrested were not present at the tea stall albeit clashing with police.

Eight of the arrested people were sent to court on Sunday.

When contacted, Singair than officer-in-charge (OC) told this correspondent that the women caught by the villagers is not a child trafficker.

She was going to her daughter's house at Kagjoir village in Ghior upazila, the OC said.