Dhaka, Dec. 25 -- The government has dismissed claims that a man was killed in Rajbari in sectarian violence, calling reports circulating on social media and in some outlets "misleading".

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chief Advisor's Office, citing police, said the incident stemmed from extortion and subsequent violence.

According to the statement, the dead, identified as 30-year-old Amrito Mondal alias Samrat, went to Pangsa Upazila to extort money and was killed during clashes with agitated locals on Wednesday.

Police said Samrat was a top criminal and had been accused in several cases, including murder and extortion filed in 2023, with arrest warrants pending against him.

Police also said they detained one of his associate...