Retired army major arrested in extortion case in Faridpur
The joint forces arrested retired Major Md Golam Haidar from his residence in Kodalia village of Nagarkanda upazila, Faridpur, in an extortion case in the early hours of today (3 June).
Nagarkanda Police Station Officer-in-Charge Amirul Islam confirmed the arrest, adding that three of Haidar's associates, including Farhad Khan, were also detained during the overnight raid.
The arrestees face multiple charges, including extortion and issuing death threats, he said.
The arrest followed a complaint filed on the evening of 2 June by local union parishad member Raju Molla, who accused Haidar of demanding a large sum of money from a union development project.
Raju alleged that when he refused, Haidar publicly threatened to kill him on 1 June. He later submitted a written complaint to the police.
According to locals, during the raid, Haidar's associate Farhad Hossain allegedly used a mosque loudspeaker to spread a rumour that robbers had attacked Haidar's house. The announcement drew a crowd from nearby areas.
Police later used sirens and their own loudspeakers to clarify that the claim was false and intended to mislead the public.
On 30 May, in Bhobukdia village of Danggi union, protests erupted after the sister of a student leader with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement was reportedly harassed. When an army team arrived to restore order, Haidar allegedly confronted the commander with aggressive behaviour. Video footage of the incident circulated on social media, drawing widespread criticism of the retired officer.
