A businessman, who was allegedly shot in the left leg by the police for not to pay extortion, has finally lost his leg.
Doctors at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor) on June 29 amputated the left leg of Salman Shikder Viky, a businessman from Jessore.
The condition of another businessman named Masudur Rahman Nannu, who was also injured in the police firing, was deteriorating. Doctors think that he also might have to undergo operation.
The two businessmen fell victim to the police on June 15 and May 31. Sub-Inspectors Shoeb Uddin and Jamal Uddin of Kotwali police station shot them in the legs in Chachara area of the district allegedly for their refusal to pay Tk10 lakh demanded by them. The Dhaka Tribune ran a report on the incident on June 28.
Babu Shikder, father of Salman, yesterday claimed that SI Shoeb not only shot his son, but also threatened to kill him. He alleged that Shoeb also transferred his son from Nitor to Jessore Central Hospital.
The police officer, however, denied all the allegations brought against him. He told the Dhaka Tribune that both the businesspeople were known terrorists in Monihar Cinema Hall area. “We will take further action against them. We shifted Viky after his operation had been conducted,” he added.
Masudur Rahman Nannu, fruit trader, is now undergoing treatment at paying ward 50.
Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam, duty doctor of the ward, said his (Nannu) leg might be amputated for bad circulation. “If it does not improve, we would have no option to cut off his leg,” he added.
According to Viky, SI Shoeb on June 15 came to their house in Bezpara area, blindfolded him and shoved him into a microbus. Later, they demanded Tk10 lakh from him. When he refused to pay the money, Shoeb shot him in the leg and staged a drama of mugging, Viky said.
Police filed a case against him later. Nannu told the Dhaka Tribune that SI Shoeb came to his fruit shop on May 31, blindfolded him and whisked him away in a microbus. Later, SI Shoeb demanded Tk10 lakh from him.
“As I was unable to pay too much money, he shot me in the leg. He also threatened to cripple me,” Nannu said.
He claimed that Shoeb also asked his two other associates, who were in the microbus, to file case against him and his relatives.
When asked why police attacked him, Nannu said he had helped the Rapid Action Battalion trace some arms traders in a student mess of BCMC College just a couple of days before the incident. “The criminals might have managed the police officer to give me a good lesson,” he added.
Reshma Sharmin, senior assistant superintendent of police (Sadar circle) of Jessore, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We had information that Salman was preparing for the hijack. We conducted a joint drive along with BGB members. Sensing our presence, he attacked us first and that is why police shot him.”
He was a listed terrorist in this area and locals were in a state of panic for his terrorist acts, she said, adding that three cases were filed against him earlier.