Armed groups intensify extortion drive
Besides the known gun-toting bands, unidentified groups have also started issuing threats to pay protection money and spreading terror
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BIRATNAGAR, APR 25 -
Armed groups have intensified their donation drive demanding money from entrepreneurs in the Sunsari-Morang Industrial Corridor and doctors. Besides the known gun-toting bands, unidentified groups have also started issuing threats to pay protection money and spreading terror among traders.
“Some seek donations in the name of Tarai Janatantrik Mukti Morcha (Goit) while others demand money in the name of some other group,” a businessman said. Victims said that such groups demand Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 million depending on their financial capacity.
The extortionists use mobile phones to demand money. Businessmen feel that whenever the security situation worsens, these groups become more active.
“With the worsening law and order situation, incidents of donation terror have started to rise,” said Abinash Bohora, general secretary of the Morang Merchants Association. He expressed disappointment at the increasing incidences of forced donations when industrialists were already suffering from load-shedding and high interest on bank loans.
The armed groups have been targeting doctors in addition to entrepreneurs. Plainclothes policemen have been providing security to a number of entrepreneurs and doctors.
However, deputy inspector general of police at the Eastern Region Police Office Binod Singh claimed that there was no donation drive at present following the arrest of a number of criminals recently. “Some groups are active in Sunsari. We are closing in on them. We will arrest them soon,” said Singh.
A few days ago, the police had arrested Mahesh Chaurasia, Morang in-charge of the Janatantrik Madhes Mukti Tigers, and Anupam Dev, a cadre of the group, for planting bombs. Police have seized time bombs and various materials used in making explosive devices including detonators, pressure cookers, MNL powder and fabric boxes. They have also confiscated their official letterheads, receipts and manuals for making time bombs.
Posted on: 2011-04-25 09:26
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