RAUTAHAT: Police on Monday arrested two persons for allegedly intimidating a local pharmacist of Bairiya village in Rautahat district in a bid to extort Rs 5 million.

Shekh Sheraj from Bairiya and Shekh Islam from Paltuwa of the district were arrested on the charge of demanding the money from Abudl Haq, and threatening that they would claim his life if not obeyed.

SP Yagya Binod Pokharel informed the District Police Office launched an investigation on the basis of phone number used by the suspects (9818278604) and arrested them.

The suspects had also planted a sutali bomb at the victim's clinic earlier.

SP Pokharel further said the arrested duo would be booked under the existing law.

Meanwhile, he said police would increase vigilance of such criminal activities in the district in the run-up to the May 14 local level elections.