Trader killed by extortionists

Criminals hacked to death a trader at Sindurmoti Bazar of Panchagram union in Lalmonirhat sadar upazila and injured his four brothers as he didn't pay toll to them.

The victim was identified as Tazul Islam, 30, son of Abdus Samad of Uttar Mandalpara village of Panchagram union in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila.

Injured Jahedul Islam, 34, took primary treatment locally, while the other three brothers -- Reazul Islam, 42, Faruk Hossain, 39, and Ariful Islam, 36 -- were admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital as their condition deteriorated, police said. The gang also vandalised two shops and looted goods and money.

Police arrested Limon Islam, 30, and Liton Islam, 27, sons of Farid Uddin of Sinduria village of Panchagram union, and Ershad Hossain, 32, son of Abdul Mazid of Namapara village of Panchagram union in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila in connection with the incident.

Police said a gang of about 12/14 criminals, armed with sharp weapons, demanded toll from Tazul Islam on Friday afternoon, but he refused to give it. The criminals hacked Tazul and also hit his four brothers when they came forward to save him. Four of them were admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital on Friday evening, where Tazul died yesterday morning.

The victims' father Abdus Samad said his five sons had been running a grocery and a cloth shop at Sindurmoti Bazar since long. "All members of the gang are known, and they are involved with the local politics of ruling party AL," he said, adding that he will lodge a murder case after burying his son.