Death threats for toll in name of JMB, JMJB

The callers introduce themselves as members of these parties and demand hefty amounts of illegal toll. They threaten to murder or kidnap them or their wards for non-compliance, some of those who received such calls told this correspondent.

The phone calls are being made to businessmen, doctors, lawyers, service holders, NGO officials and even to teachers. Letters are also being sent in the name of these organisations for toll, they said.

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This has created panic among people as similar cases are being reported even from upazilas. Recipients of such call or letter are well-to-do people.

Some of the victims have filed General Dairy (GD) with local police stations.

When contacted, S Alam, Office-in-Charge (OC) of Tangail Sadar police station, said "We have received a good number of complaints about threats on telephone for toll".

It was gathered that some of the victims have stopped sending their children to school.

Talking to this correspondent, a senior lawyer of Tangail Bar Association said he received a letter sent by post demanding toll in the name of JMB. He said he feels insecure as the letter threatened him with death for non-compliance.

A rich Hindu businessman in Tangail town got an abduction threat from a caller who identified himself as a member of PBCP (Purba Banglar Communist Party). Seeking anonymity, he said he is very much worried for his two school going children.

But PBCP (Purba Banglar Communist Party) which is often blamed for demanding illegal toll denied that any of its members made such calls or sent letters to any one.

A senior leader of the outlawed party made a telephone call to Tangail Press Club on October 15 and said miscreants and toll collectors are using the name of his party.

Tangail Police Superindent Mirza Abdullah-hel-Baki told this correspondent that he ordered police to trace such incidents and nab the culprits. He said miscreants might be using the name of PBCP, JMB or JMJB.