Human Chain Protest in Rajshahi Against BNP Leaders Demanding Extortion Money
M. Shakil Ahmad, District Correspondent, Rajshahi
A human chain protest took place in the Balu Mahal area of Godagari Upazila, Rajshahi, after BNP leaders allegedly demanded extortion money. The protest occurred in front of the Shaheed Minar, near the District Commissioner’s Office, at 11 AM on 26/12/2024, where workers, owners, and the general public of Godagari gathered to voice their concerns against the two BNP leaders.
In response to the allegations, M. Shafiqul Islam, Manager of Messrs. Moon Enterprise, stated that during the Bengali year 1431, his company participated in the auction for the Godagari Balu Mahal and became the highest bidder. On 1st Baishakh, the district administration handed over the lease of the Balu Mahal. Since then, they have been following the rules and regularly extracting sand from the site. Even after the student protests on 5th August, they continued operations. However, on 23/12/24 at around 11:30 PM, an excavator driver working at Sheikh’s Para Balu Mahal informed him via phone that a group of individuals, led by a person identifying himself as a member of the Chhatra Dal (student wing of BNP), blocked the sand-carrying trucks and halted the sand extraction.
When Shafiqul contacted a person named Tomas, he was informed that in order to continue sand extraction, he needed to pay either a daily fee of 10,000 BDT or a one-time payment of 1,000,000 BDT. Tomas explained that he was the right-hand man of Ahshanul Kabir Tuku, President of Godagari Matikata Union BNP, and the joint secretary of Godagari Upazila Chhatra Dal. Without paying the extortion money, sand extraction would not be allowed.
Shafiqul requested Tomas to meet him at his office in Rajshahi, but Tomas did not respond. On 24/12/24 at around 1:00 PM, Tomas, along with several others, arrived at the Balu Mahal and caused a disturbance, halting the sand extraction once again. They also threatened to kill the cashier, Hitler. Journalists from RTV and several national newspapers were physically assaulted while attempting to cover the incident, including one female journalist.
Due to the halted operations, the company is suffering an estimated daily financial loss of 10 to 12 lakh BDT. They are now unable to send employees to the site due to threats and intimidation from the perpetrators.
The speakers at the human chain emphasized that the laborers who depend on daily work are unable to support their families due to the work stoppage. They urged the authorities to take legal action against the extortionists and the illegal syndicate operating in the area. If their demands are not met, they warned of further action.
The speakers also referenced BNP leader Tarique Rahman’s statement, which called for any BNP leader demanding extortion money to be expelled from the party upon evidence. They demanded that Ahshanul Kabir Tuku, President of Godagari Matikata Union BNP, and Saifuddin Tomas, Joint Secretary of Godagari Upazila Chhatra Dal, be held accountable for their actions and that the area be reopened for legitimate operations.
