Members of a dope gang (Aggyan Party) have looted around Tk 3.8 lakh from three watermelon vendors from Chuadanga while purchasing watermelons in Patuakhali.
The victims are Sajib Ali, 30, Mominur Rahman Molla, 65, and Milan Mechanic, 40, hailing from Chuadanga Sadar upazila.
According to the victims, they boarded a bus from Dingedah Bazar heading toward Shakharia Bazar in Patuakhali to purchase watermelons from Mashuri Ghat on Friday.
Along the way, they met a man who later accompanied them to a residential hotel in Patuakhali for rest and Iftar.
The man arranged Iftar including a special drink and shortly after drinking it they lost consciousness, he said.
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Upon regaining consciousness, one of them found their money and belongings missing.
Later, another vendor from the Dingedah came to know about the vendors in Patuakhali and arranged for their return to Chuadanga by bus.
They arrived at Dingedah Bazar around 4pm on Saturday after which family members took Mominur and Milan home.
However, due to his deteriorating condition, Sajib was taken to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital where physician Dr. Sajib Hossain admitted him for observation.
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The physician said the patient was brought unconscious and provided initial treatment before admitting him for observation.
It appears they were given sedatives mixed in their food or drinks and it may take Sajib 24 to 48 hours for full recovery, he said.