Residents of the riverine Chandradwip Union staged a protest on Tuesday (24 February) against a local BNP leader, alleging widespread extortion and harassment. Around 500 people participated in the demonstration, which included a press conference and a human chain.
The protesters accused Ruhul Rarhi (42), joint convener of the BNP union and former president of the union’s Jubo Dal, and his associates of harassing residents, seizing land, and forcibly selling plots to watermelon cultivators for hundreds of thousands of taka. They claimed that anyone protesting against these actions faced physical assault and false cases.
Rarhi is also accused of leading illegal sand extraction, threatening the safety of thousands of residents in Chandradwip.
Former headteacher of Charwadel Government Primary School, Md. Ahsan Habib said,
“The people of Chandradwip live below the poverty line. Their livelihoods depend on farming and fishing, yet they are continuously subjected to extortion. Seeking justice only increases harassment. To protect these riverine communities, a police outpost here is urgently needed.”
Responding to the allegations, Ruhul Rarhi denied any wrongdoing, stating,
“These accusations are propaganda. During the Awami League government, BNP members were victims of harassment, and now some are targeting us. Most organizers of this human chain and press conference are affiliated with the Awami League. They will not escape accountability.”
Baufol police chief Mohammad Siddikur Rahman said no formal written complaints have been submitted regarding the extortion allegations. He added that legal action will be taken if a formal complaint is filed and investigated.
