Eight individuals have been arrested by Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) in connection with the assault, vandalism, and looting of the Digital.net (DDN) office in Chattogram. The incident followed an alleged Tk 2 crore extortion attempt by the prime accused, David Emon, who remains at large.
CMP Additional Commissioner (Crime) Muhammad Faisal Ahmed disclosed this information during a press briefing. The arrests were made following coordinated raids by teams from Chawkbazar Police Station, CMP, and RAB-7 across the city. Information from interrogations has led to the identification of several other suspects, and efforts to apprehend them continue.
The arrestees include Md. Yunus, Imran Hossain Chang, Akbar Hossain, Md. Sumon, Md. Monir alias Keherman, Md. Gias Uddin, Md. Nayon, and Mohammad Abdul Nahid alias Farhad. Several of these suspects have multiple criminal cases against them, including charges of extortion, illegal arms possession, drug offenses, kidnapping, human trafficking, smuggling, robbery, theft, and violations of the Special Powers Act.
According to investigators, David Emon contacted the DDN owner via WhatsApp on July 11, demanding a one-time payment of Tk 2 crore and a monthly payment of Tk 10 lakh. When the demand was rejected, he allegedly issued threats. On July 13, between 12:15 pm and 12:30 pm, a group of 30 to 40 armed men attacked the DDN office on the third floor of Mariam Heights in Monumiyaji Lane under Chawkbazar Police Station.
The attackers threatened employees, vandalized office equipment including computers, laptops, printers, fingerprint machines, furniture, and glass doors, causing an estimated Tk 15 lakh in damage. They also looted Tk 47,000 in cash, three Android mobile phones, a Canon printer, and a shoulder bag belonging to DDN director Oriful Islam. The bag contained about Tk 35 lakh earmarked for employee salaries.
A case was filed with Chawkbazar Police Station on July 13. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by businesses in ensuring security and stability amidst criminal activities in the region.
