Key Highlights
- BNP leader Motaleb Hossain in Bhangura, Pabna, accused of extorting Tk 50,000 and threatening to kill.
- Protest procession, human chain and press conference organized by traders.
- AKM Hanif Bablu filed a general diary (GD) with the police station.
- Arrest of the accused, expulsion from political posts, increased police patrols in the market and proper investigation of the GD.
- Assurance of taking organizational action.
- Complaint is under investigation, announcement of taking legal action.
Protest and human chain
Local businessmen held a protest, human chain and press conference in Bhangura, Pabna, to protest extortion and death threats against a BNP leader.
The program was organized by the Bhangura Industrial and Merchants Association at Bakultala in the municipal headquarters on Tuesday (September 23) at around 11 am.
First, the businessmen took out a protest procession and circled the main road of the municipal headquarters. A section of the BNP also expressed solidarity with the program. Later, a human chain and press conference were held.
Victim’s complaint
There, the victim businessman AKM Hanif Bablu alleged that on September 4, at around 9 pm, in front of his business establishment at Bakultala intersection in Bhangura Bazar, Motaleb Hossain, the organizing secretary of the municipal BNP and the president of the Bhangura Upazila branch of the Pabna Motor Workers Union, and his associate Shah Sikder demanded a bribe of Tk 50,000.
When he refused to pay the bribe, they abused him in foul language and threatened to vandalize two HiS microbuses owned by Hanif. Not only that, he was also threatened with death. Hanif filed a general diary (GD) with Bhangura Police Station in this incident.
Hafiz Uddin Bahar, the founding president and current advisor of the Bhangura Industrial and Commercial Association, read out a written statement at the press conference. He said,
‘একজন রাজনৈতিক নেতার ছত্রছায়ায় প্রকাশ্যে চাঁদা দাবি ও প্রাণনাশের হুমকি কোনোভাবেই মেনে নেয়া যায় না। আমরা এর দৃষ্টান্তমূলক শাস্তি চাই।’
Translation: “Publicly demanding extortion and threatening to kill under the auspices of a political leader is unacceptable. We demand exemplary punishment for this.”
The traders demanded the immediate arrest of accused Motaleb Hossain and his associates, their expulsion from political positions, increased police patrols in the market area, and legal action based on a proper investigation into the GD filed at the police station.
Warning to traders
Vice-president of Bhangura Industrial and Merchants Association Saiful Islam, businessman Haji Ashraf Ali, victim AKM Hanif Bablu, joint convener of Upazila BNP Anisur Rahman Liton and many others also spoke at the gathering.
They warned that if the demands are not implemented quickly, they will launch a tough movement including closing the market.
Accused leader’s position
When an attempt was made to contact accused BNP leader Motaleb Hossain on his mobile phone, the phone was found to be switched off. After inquiry, it was learned that he is currently in India for medical treatment. Due to this, it was not possible to get his statement.
Read more: I Want People to Slowly Forget Me: Tahsan Khan Bids Farewell to Music
Political reaction
In this regard, Bhangura Municipal BNP President Rafiqul Islam said that he is aware of the matter. Organizational measures will be taken after verifying the truth of the incident.
He said,
বিষয়টি আমি অবগত আছি। ঘটনার সত্যতা যাচাই সাপেক্ষে সাংগঠনিক ব্যবস্থা নেয়া হবে। এখানে বিভিন্ন গ্রুপিংয়ের কারণে এই পরিস্থিতি উদ্ভব হয়েছে। সে (মোতালেব) অসুস্থ। মূলত তিনি সাহায্যের জন্য গিয়েছিলেন বলে আমি জানি।
Translation: I am aware of the matter. Organizational measures will be taken after verifying the truth of the incident. This situation has arisen due to various groupings here. He (Motaleb) is sick. I know that he went for help.
Police position
Bhangura Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shafiqul Islam said that the GD filed against the businessman on charges of extortion is under investigation. After the investigation, appropriate action will be taken as per the law.
He said,
‘ভাঙ্গুড়ায় ব্যবসায়ীর কাছে চাঁদাবাজির অভিযোগে দায়ের করা সাধারণ ডায়েরী (জিডি) বর্তমানে তদন্তাধীন। তদন্ত শেষ হলে আইন অনুযায়ী যথাযথ ব্যবস্থা নেয়া হবে। ব্যবসায়ীদের দাবির বিপরীতে নয়, ভাঙ্গুড়া থানা সর্বদা দেশের নাগরিক ও ব্যবসায়ীদের নিরাপত্তা নিশ্চিত করতে সচেষ্ট রয়েছে।’
Translation: “The General Diary (GD) filed against a businessman in Bhangura on charges of extortion is currently under investigation. Once the investigation is completed, appropriate action will be taken as per the law. Not contrary to the demands of the businessmen, Bhangura Police Station is always striving to ensure the safety of the citizens and businessmen of the country.”
He also said,
‘থানা পুলিশ বাজার এলাকায় নিয়মিত টহল দিচ্ছে এবং কোনোভাবেই কেউ যেন আইন ভঙ্গ করতে না পারে তা নিশ্চিত করা হচ্ছে। আমাদের মূল লক্ষ্য হলো স্থানীয় ব্যবসায়ীদের নিরাপত্তা ও আইনশৃঙ্খলা বজায় রাখা।’
Translation: “The police station is patrolling the market area regularly and ensuring that no one breaks the law in any way. Our main goal is to ensure the safety of local traders and maintain law and order.”
Source: Channel 24
