Hindu shopkeeper killed in Cox’s Bazar

Ganesh Pal, son of Bishwanath Pal, was a grocery shop owner at Cox’s Bazar Municipal Market. According to local residents, the victim had recently started constructing a house in Pallankata and was installing a septic tank at the site. Earlier that day he had been at his shop with his brother before visiting the construction site. His wife Shefali Pal and brother Ashish Pal told reporters that local youths had been demanding extortion money from Ganesh Pal in recent days, allegedly using political influence. They believe the same group was responsible for the killing and demanded capital punishment for those involved. Former Cox’s Bazar municipal councilor Rajbihari Das condemned the incident, stating that killing someone in broad daylight over extortion demands is unacceptable and urging authorities to take swift action. Officer-in-Charge of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station said the victim’s family claims the murder occurred after he refused to pay extortion money. Police are investigating the matter and legal proceedings are underway.