Boy abducted to press for ransom in Meherpur

The incident took place at Kuthibhatpara village in Gangni upazila in Meherpur district early yesterday. At least 20 persons were also injured when the gang hurled bombs on them when neighbours tried to resist the criminals.

According to police, a gang of 14 stormed into the house Rafiqul Islam and confined family members at gunpoint. They demanded Tk 50,000. Being refused, they looted Tk15, 000, ornaments valuables worth about Tk 50,000.

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The gang at gunpoint picked up Rafiqul's son Faruk, 14, a student of class IX at Hinda High School.

The injured neighbours were admitted to Gangni Health Complex and Meherpur General Hospital. A case has been filed with Gangni police but police could not trace the boy when the report was filed yesterday afternoon.

The villagers alleged that police was informed in time but they did not go to the spot at night. They went the village in the morning.

On June 18, people at Bamundi village in the same upazila caught eight policemen when they came to commit robbery at a house. Villagers claimed that after the incident, police are not willing to move at night.

As many as 28 people, most of them school and college students and businessmen, were abducted from different places in the district since January.

Of them, 4 were killed and 21 bought their freedom after paying ransom. Two are missing. Organised gangs and outlaws are responsible for the abductions, police said.