Police in Chattogram released two leaders of the BNP’s Volunteer Wing and two party activists 12 hours after detaining them on extortion allegations. The arrests took place Friday afternoon in the Kotwali area near Laldighi Maidan, where the group was accused of forcibly collecting money from traders during the traditional Jabbar’s Boli Khela fair. They were released around 3 a.m. on Saturday.

According to police, the operation was led by Sub-Inspector Abul Hossain, who said the suspects were caught red-handed and handed over to the officer-in-charge. Witnesses reported that the men demanded between 1,000 and 3,000 taka from shopkeepers under the pretext of local fair management, leading to scuffles when some traders protested. Police intervened to restore order.

Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aftab Uddin stated that the trader who initially complained later withdrew his allegation, and his earlier statement was recorded on video. The reasons for the withdrawal were not explained in the report.