SIALKOT, July 4: A trader’s refusal to pay extortion to a gang cost him dearly as the alleged criminals sprayed his residence in Sambrial with bullets late on Thursday night, damaging the walls.

Mian Liaquat Ali, the president of Anjuman-i-Tajraan Sambrial Market, told journalists on Friday that some armed men fired shots at his home late in night, creating harassment in the area. He said a few months ago, some proclaimed offenders demanded Rs5 million as extortion money from him by making repeated telephone calls from different cell phone numbers. “They threatened me and my family with dire consequences for not paying the demanded money”.

He said it could be the same POs who had hurled threats at him, making the entire family and even some neighbours terrified.

The incident created panic also among the local traders as they announced a protest demonstration against lawlessness. They said the police had failed to provide protection to the business community.

Just nine days ago, some people had lobbed two rocket shells on the house of Mian Muhammad Saeed, a local tradesman, in Daska’s Gulistan Colony for not paying Rs10 million extortion. The Daska city police have failed to take any action despite repeated requests by the traders.

DPO Muhammad Ameen said the police were taking measures to provide security to the traders.