Autorickshaw driver chained and tortured to collect money owed

Noakhali Correspondent: An autorickshaw driver was allegedly kidnapped and tortured in chains for two days in Subarnachar, Noakhali, to collect money owed to him. Later, he was rescued with the help of the police and local administration.
He was rescued from a house in the Charmajid Bhuiyarhat area of ​​the upazila around 4 pm on Saturday (June 27).
The victim, Md. Ripon, is a resident of Monpura upazila of Bhola district. He currently lives in the Charmajid Bhuiyarhat area of ​​Subarnachar upazila. The accused, Abul Kashem alias Keda Kashem, is a resident of the same area.
According to police and local sources, Ripon and Kashem were jointly engaged in goat business about two years ago. At one stage, Kashem owed Ripon about 1 lakh 70 thousand taka. Currently, Ripon earns a living by driving a battery-powered autorickshaw in Noakhali Sadar upazila. It is alleged that Kashem took him from Sadar Upazila and locked him in a house in Bhuiyarhat area of ​​Subarnachar for not paying the dues for a year. There, the victim alleged that he was chained and tortured for two days and kept on a semi-starvation.
The victim's relatives claim that two other local youths were also detained by the accused while searching for Ripon. Later, they were rescued with the help of the administration, police and local Chhatra Dal leaders. The incident has created a sensation in the area.
However, attempts were made to contact the accused Abul Kashem alias Keda Kashem for his statement on the matter, but he could not be reached.
Char Jabbar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Rafiqul Hasan said that according to the victim, he was taken away and chained and locked up to collect the dues. He was rescued after receiving the information. At the same time, he was asked to file a written complaint. Legal action will be taken if the complaint is received.

BP/TD