Patuakhali: Residents of Chandradwip union in the riverine Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali assembled to protest allegations of prolonged extortion and harassment perpetrated by a local BNP leader and his associates.
According to United News of Bangladesh, over 500 men and women gathered at the Chandradwip ferry ghat area, forming a human chain and holding a press briefing to demand protection from alleged abuse and to call for an improvement in the local law and order situation. The participants shared their experiences of harassment and intimidation they claim to have endured.
The protestors accused local BNP leader Md Ruhul Rarhi, who serves as a joint convener of the union BNP and is a former president of the union Jubo Dal, of coercing locals into selling their land to watermelon cultivators and extorting large sums of money. Allegedly, farmers are required to pay tolls per plot of land and face physical assault and false legal charges if they resist.
Furthermore, the residents claimed that illegal sand
extraction, allegedly led by the same group, is exacerbating erosion risks for thousands in the union.
Md Ahsan Habib, a former head teacher of Charwadel Government Primary School, stated that most residents, who live below the poverty line and depend on farming and fishing, are allegedly forced to regularly pay extortion fees. He emphasized the urgent need to establish a police outpost in the riverine area to address these issues.
Md Ruhul Rarhi, however, denied the allegations, describing them as propaganda orchestrated by political opponents and supporters of the Awami League.
Officer-in-Charge of Bauphal Police Station Mohammad Siddikur Rahman mentioned that legal action would be considered if a written complaint is filed following an investigation.