DB arrests nine kidnappers, rescues two victims

The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested nine members of a kidnapping ring, after foiling their attempt to hold two men for ransom, from Demra, Dhaka on Wednesday. During a press briefing at the DMP media centre on Wednesday morning, DB Joint Commissioner Abdul Baten confirmed the matter and said after receiving an anonymous tip, a DB team had conducted a drive at Konapara in Demea around 5pm on Tuesday. Abdul Baten further said after the primary investigation, the arrested – Abdul Halim, Md Roni, Md Mobarok Hossain, Md Salim alias Ghotok, Md Monju, Md Rafik, Md Mostofa, Md Hannan Matabbor and Rojina – had admitted to police that they have been running such cons for a while now. According to the arrested, they were part of a gang that kidnapped people, especially women, and forcefully took photos with the victims, which they subsequently used to blackmail the victims with in order to extort money from them. The gang, which reportedly has 22/25 members, targets people in Dhaka, Narsingdi, Gazipur and Narayanganj and uses Demra as their base, where they lure people and hold them hostage for ransom. One of the cons they run in order to capture their victims is to run personal advertisements in newspapers looking for brides or grooms. When people respond, the gang members ask to meet with them at the Demra location and then trap them. Two of this gang’s victims, Abdul Aziz and Arman, spoke to the Dhaka Tribune about their experience. “We responded to their marriage ad and went to Konapara to meet the girl. When we arrived, they attacked us. We are lucky the police arrived when they did,” said Abdul Aziz. When the two men had arrived at their destination with a box of sweetmeats, the gang members welcomed them and served them sweetmeats to eat. Once the two had settled in, the gang had informed them that they were actually police and journalists and charged them, saying they were there with bad intentions. Arman added that the gang had then proceeded to beat them and had demanded Tk2,00,000 from them in order for them to be released. The duo managed to Bkash the gang Tk25,000 before police arrived and saved them. According to DB Joint Commissioner Abdul Baten, police had recovered a walkie talkie and two pairs of handcuffs from the location. When questioned whether any police officials were aiding the gang, Abdul Baten said: “We have yet to find any connections, but if any police official is involved in this matter, he will be punished.”