No bribe, no shop

A sub-inspertor (SI) at the Aminpur police station in Pabna's Bera upazila has allegedly sealed off a shop of a local trader on September 2, as he failed to get money from the shop owner by extortion.

Rafiqul Islam, the trader, left the village with his family so as to protect them from the anger of the police officer.

Rafiqul Islam said, four months ago, SI Yusuf demanded Tk60,000 from him in bribe; with the intervention of the senior police officials, Rafiqul Islam was able to avoid giving him the money.

"To my dismay, Yusuf, once again, demanded Tk5 lakh; when I expressed my inability to meet his demand, he sealed off my shop on September 2; he abused even my 70-year old father," he added.

Rafiqul's father Dhoni Munshi said: "Dragging me out of my son's shop, SI Yusuf sealed it off.''

Selim Mia, former president at the Aminpur bazar association, said that a police officer has no right to shut down the business of a local trader. Only if anything illegal is found inside a shop, an executive magistrate can seal the shop, following legal procedures.  

A number of shopkeepers in Aminpur bazar, on anonymity, told this correspondent that SI Yusuf very often force them into bribing him, but in fear of harassment they do not disclose it to anyone.

SI Yusuf, however, refused all these allegations against him, saying, "A section of people is conspiring against me, for defaming my good reputation."

Mominul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) at the Aminpur police station, said that a police officer can never seal off a trader's shop. If the allegation is found true, serious action will be taken against the involved SI.