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Police have arrested Mohammad Ali Kaiser Pintu, an expelled leader of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal (JSD), in a case filed over an alleged demand for Tk 1 million in extortion from the Inter-District Truck Owners Association in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur.
Mohammadpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Abdul Halim confirmed the arrest on Tuesday night (September 1). He said Pintu was arrested in connection with the extortion case and was later handed over to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB).
According to the case statement, the incident took place at the office of the Inter-District Truck Owners Association at the Bhanga Mosque Truck Terminal in Saat Masjid Housing under Mohammadpur Police Station. At around 5pm on August 31, Pintu and several others allegedly went to the office and demanded Tk 1 million from members of the association.
According to the complainant, Md Belayet Hossain, also a member of the association, Pintu and the other accused had previously demanded Tk 1 million from them on several occasions and allegedly threatened them if they refused to pay.
The case statement alleges that on the day of the incident, the accused, acting on Pintu’s instructions, demanded Tk 1 million and insisted that Tk 500,000 be paid in cash immediately. When the association members refused to pay, the accused allegedly vandalised the office.
The complaint alleges that tables, chairs and banners were damaged, causing an estimated Tk 20,000 in losses. Belayet Hossain was also allegedly beaten with sticks during the incident.
The case statement says Inter-District Truck Owners Association President Monwar Hossain Montu, Secretary Zahir Hossain, Drivers’ Association President Md Nushu Mia and others later intervened and rescued Belayet.
Police sources said at least eight cases had previously been filed against Pintu with Mohammadpur Police Station. His name was also listed eighth among the top alleged extortionists on a police list for the Mohammadpur area.
Pintu was expelled from the post of convenor of the Mohammadpur Thana unit of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal and from the party’s membership in May last year over allegations of violating party discipline.
Following his expulsion, the Dhaka Metropolitan North unit of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal sent a letter to the Mohammadpur police OC informing him of Pintu’s removal from the party. The letter stated that if Pintu became involved in alleged criminal activities, extortion, land grabbing or other unlawful activities in Mohammadpur, responsibility would rest solely with him personally. The organisation also requested that police take necessary action against him.
