Traders at the capital’s Aminbazar on Monday staged angry demonstrations by setting up a blockade on the Dhaka-Aricha highway for around two hours, protesting extortion by the policemen at Aminbazar Outpost under Savar Police Station.
The blockade resulted in gridlock on the road and the protestors opened the road only after some senior officials of police arrived at the scene and assured them of taking proper actions against the accused.
Locals said the traders launched the demonstrations on Monday after Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Lutfor Rahman tried to take away fishes and vegetables from them without payment on regular basis.
The ASI has been taking fishes, meat and other items needed for all the policemen at the outpost without payment.
As the traders’ protested, some policemen along with ASI Lutfor threatened them and at one stage, several hundred of the traders took to the street, and launched angry demonstrations from 10am.
Habibur Rahman, Superintendent of Police of Dhaka district, told the Dhaka Tribune: “I have sent some senior police officers to learn what had happened. But none of the traders gave any specific allegations against any of the policemen.”
When asked about the ASI Lutfor Rahman, the SP said: “The matter is being investigated. If anyone is found guilty, actions would be taken against them.”
Mostofa Kamal, officer-in-charge of Savar Police Station said a total of 20 policemen were deployed at the outpost.
In a reply, both the SP and OC said as investigation was ongoing, no one was suspended or closed immediately.
