Akhtaruzzaman, Tanor (Rajshahi) Upazila Correspondent:

The police have arrested four members of a gang, including a woman, on charges of holding a businessman named Sujan Rahman (37) hostage for about 18 hours in Tanor, Rajshahi, torturing and extorting ransom. The businessman was rescued after conducting a raid based on information received on the national emergency service number 999.

Another accused involved in the incident, Abul Hossain Dhalu (45), has fled with a motorcycle worth about 1 lakh 96 thousand taka, the victim has alleged.

The arrested persons are - Zahura Begum (35), Bachchu Mondal (38), Raju Ahmed (28) and his wife Surbana Bibi (20). The absconding Abul Hossain Dhalu is a resident of Tanor area. The rescued businessman Sujan Rahman runs his own business on the west side of Paba Upazila Gate in Rajshahi.

According to the case report and police sources, Sujan Rahman went to Tanore on business on Saturday (August 29) evening. There, his acquaintance Raju Ahmed requested him to take him to his in-laws' village of Devipur in Tanore. When Raju reached Devipur in good faith, some people forcibly took Sujan to a room and locked him up in a pre-planned manner.

At that time, a ransom of two and a half lakh taka was demanded from him. When he refused to pay the money, Bachchu Mandal beat him with a bamboo stick. At one stage, it is alleged that Surbana Bibi held a sharp knife to his throat and threatened to kill him.

When he was physically tortured again the next morning, Sujan told him to give the money in his Bikash. Later, he was forced to send a total of 8,200 taka in three installments to different numbers given by the gang members.

Even then, he was taken to Krishnapur Bazar to extort more money. There, Sujon took the opportunity to call his acquaintance, businessman Mizanur Rahman Badsha, and briefly explained his danger. Realizing the matter, Badsha quickly called the national emergency service number 999 and sought police assistance.

Upon receiving the information, a team of police from Tanor police station quickly conducted a raid in the Debipur area and rescued Sujon Rahman from the hostage situation. At the same time, four people involved in the incident were arrested. However, it is alleged that Abul Hossain Dhalu fled with the victim's motorcycle after sensing the presence of the police.

After the rescue, Sujon Rahman was taken to the Tanor Upazila Health Complex for primary treatment due to physical injuries.

Mahmudul Hasan, officer-in-charge (OC) of Tanor police station, said that a regular case has been filed in this incident based on the victim's complaint. The four detainees have been shown arrested. The police operation is continuing to arrest the absconding accused and recover the motorcycle.