A case has been filed in Sandwip upazila of Chattogram after a contractor of the Power Development Board (PDB) was reportedly kidnapped, beaten, and extorted by a group of attackers. Six people have been named in the case, while 15 to 16 others remain unidentified.
According to the case statement, the victim, Milad Uddin Munna, is a licensed contractor who works on various PDB projects. He said that on June 27, 2025, while returning from official work in Sandwip, a group of 15 to 20 men on motorcycles surrounded him at the Senarhat three-road junction around 6 pm.
The attackers, armed with local weapons, stopped his motorcycle and forcefully took him to an isolated area near Masterpara School in Musapur Dham (Temple) . There, they demanded Tk 5 lakh as extortion money. When Munna refused to pay, they brutally beat him. The attackers fled when locals arrived at the scene.
During the attack, Munna lost valuable items including a Samsung S24 phone, a Symphoni phone, a handbag containing Tk 81,000 in cash, seven bank cards, six unsigned cheques from “Z.T.I Corporation,” and three business cheques worth Tk 2.5 lakh.
The accused include local political figures: Jubo Dal leader Abdul Karim, Md. Jewel, Didarul Alam Jillu, Moinul Shuvo, Jubo League leader Shahadat Hossain, and Altaf.
Speaking to the media, Munna said, “They tried to record a false confession video from me. When I refused, they beat me for over an hour. I still fear for my life.”
Zahidul Karim Kochi, Member Secretary of Chattogram Press Club, said Munna was involved in journalism even before becoming a contractor. “His news portal in Chattogram was shut down because of his outspoken stance against fascism. This attack is shameful. The attackers must face justice.”
Alauddin Sikder, Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Chattogram North, also condemned the incident. “Not just Munna, the law and order situation in Sandwip is worsening daily. The authorities cannot avoid responsibility.”
BNP’s National Executive Committee member Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan Milton said, “Munna, a young entrepreneur and contractor, was brutally tortured. I strongly condemn the attack and demand exemplary punishment for those responsible.”
Sandwip Police Station Officer-in-Charge A.K.M. Shafiqul Alam Chowdhury confirmed, “A case has been filed immediately after the incident. Police operations to arrest the suspects are ongoing.”
Locals say fear has spread in the area since the incident, and they are urging the authorities to arrest the attackers quickly and ensure strict punishment.