Allegations of extortion have surfaced against two leaders of the Swechchhasebak Dal in Bogra’s Shajahanpur, targeting potato farmers and traders. Victims claim the extortion has been ongoing for a month, prompting them to file a formal police complaint against the accused.
The accused leaders are Ayub Ali, General Secretary of the Upazila Swechchhasebak Dal, and Kamrul Hasan Momin, the Organizational Secretary.
The Incident and Complaint
On Monday night, a farmer named Mehedi Habib Abbasi, a resident of Jagannathpur village in Kharna Union, filed a complaint at Shajahanpur Police Station. According to the farmers, whenever a truck is loaded with potatoes—or even while they are bagging the crop in the fields—youths identifying themselves as Swechchhasebak Dal members intercept them. They allegedly demand a “toll” of Tk 20 per sack before allowing the transport to proceed.
A Resurgence of Old Tactics
Local sources noted that during the previous Awami League regime, members of the Swechchhasebak League and Jubo League engaged in similar extortion in the harvest fields. While the practice had ceased under the interim government, farmers allege that some Swechchhasebak Dal leaders have recently resumed these predatory tactics.
The tension reached a boiling point last Sunday evening at Birgram Bus Stand. When a group of youths intercepted a potato truck heading to cold storage, local residents gathered and chased the alleged extortionists away.
The Victim’s Account
Complainant Mehedi Habib Abbasi stated:
”Around 7:00 PM on March 8, while I was transporting potatoes to the cold storage, Ayub Ali, Kamrul Hasan Momin, and Shahid Hossain blocked my truck on the Rajshahi-Bogra highway. They demanded Tk 20 per sack. When I refused, they threatened to abduct me and warned me of dire consequences. Fortunately, the locals at Birgram intervened and chased them off.”
Eyewitnesses Tajnur Islam and Jahangir Alam Apel corroborated the account, stating that the leaders attempted to kidnap the farmer when he refused to pay.
Denials and Official Stance
In a press conference held at the Bogra Press Club on Tuesday, Ayub Ali denied the allegations, claiming the information was “false and fabricated” to tarnish his reputation.
Touhidul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shajahanpur Police Station, confirmed the receipt of the complaint. “A farmer has filed a complaint regarding extortion on a potato truck. We will take legal action after a thorough investigation,” he said.
Sarkar Mukul, President of the District Swechchhasebak Dal, stated that the party is internally investigating the matter. “If any member is found involved in extortion, strict organizational action will be taken against them,” he added.
