RAB-7 recovers 4 domestic weapons used in the attack on internet provider office
Rampage Over BDT 2 Crore Extortion: Ringleader Michael Among 9 Arrested in Chattogram
- Four locally made sharp weapons used during the violent attack were seized from the arrestees
- On July 11, a criminal named 'David Emon' demanded a one-time BDT 2 crore and BDT 10 lakh monthly subscription via WhatsApp
- Refusing to pay led to a dynamic attack on July 13, causing severe office damage and the looting of BDT 35 lakh in cash
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-7) has arrested nine individuals, including the prime ringleader Michael, for their direct involvement in the attack, vandalism, and looting of an internet service provider establishment named 'Digital Dot Net (DDN)' located at Bakalia Access Road under Chawkbazar Thana in Chattogram city.
The arrestees have been identified as ringleader Michael Rohan Miah Prokash (31), Md. Tuhin (22), Akbar Hossain (38), Md. Abdul Mumin (30), Md. Masad Miah (27), Md. Didar Miah (22), Md. Sanzat Hasan (18), Saikat Hossain (18), and Md. Saifuddin. Meanwhile, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) reported the separate arrest of eight individuals in connection with the July 15 follow-up developments regarding the attack on the DDN office.
The arrests were made following targeted drives across various locations in Chattogram city and district on Saturday (July 18). Officials of RAB-7 confirmed the matter during a press conference held on Sunday (July 19). Four locally made weapons used in the attack were also recovered during the operations.
According to RAB-7, on July 11, a criminal identifying himself as 'David Emon' contacted the proprietor of the institution, Adil Bin Mamun, on his personal WhatsApp number, demanding a one-time extortion payment of BDT 2 crore alongside a monthly subscription fee of BDT 10 lakh. As the owner refused to comply, a multi-member armed group consisting of 30 to 40 individuals carrying domestic weapons stormed the office on the afternoon of July 13. The attackers went on a rampage, destroying office furniture, computers, server monitors, laptops, and other critical infrastructure before looting approximately BDT 35 lakh kept in cash for employee salaries. Following the incident, the manager of the company filed a case against 40 unidentified individuals at the Chawkbazar Police Station.
Assistant Director (Media) and Assistant Superintendent of Police of RAB-7, A R M Muzaffar Hossain, stated that the direct participants were accurately identified and apprehended by analyzing CCTV footage and tracking intelligence reports. Legal procedures against the accused are currently underway. This brazen assault has sparked fresh concerns regarding the law and order situation in Chattogram, prompting local business owners and stakeholders to demand stricter administrative actions against commercial extortion and terrorism.
//DBTech/DR/NN//
