Armed men looted valuables worth about Tk 2 crore from a site office of Japan Garden City Limited at Tajmahal Road in the city’s Mohammadpur area in the early hours of yesterday, company sources alleged.

Mohammadpur police quoting the FIR said several hundred people lead by Abu Sayeed Bepari, his son Shamim, Shamsher Ali, Reaz. and Abdus Quddus stormed into the office, firing shots at about 2 am and took away furniture, office equipment, refrigerator, computers, colour TV washing machine, ceiling fans, table fans, stand fans and important documents.

The attackers also snatched a wav' eight rifles from on duty Ansars and beat up the employees.

The employees of the office alleged that Abu Sayeed Bepari had earlier demanded Tk 2 crore as toll. He t alked to the company officials at Baridhara office over phone on Monday evening and asked them to pay toll or leave the site. they said.

The Garden City limited is a Japan-Bangladesh joint venture company and engaged in construction of high-rise buildings.

The company developed a land in the area for construction work after taking non-objectiona) certificates from Dhaka City Corporation, DESA, WAPDA, Civil Aviation Authority, Titas Gas, 1 louse Building Finance Corporation and Rajuk, company officials said

local people said they have seen some close associates of (he local MPwiihthealiackers.