Lalmonirhat, July 3 (V7N) — Sarjis Alam, chief organizer of the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), has alleged that extortion is being carried out in the name of the BNP from vehicles transporting stones and sand from Lalmonirhat district to other parts of the country.

In a post on his verified Facebook account at 1:13 AM on Wednesday (July 2), Sarjis accused BNP field-level leaders and activists of involvement in the illegal collection. He also tagged BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the post, calling for accountability.

According to Sarjis, in Patgram Upazila, vehicles carrying stones and sand from government-approved sites are routinely stopped, with drivers forced to pay between 500 to 1,000 taka per trip. He alleged that such extortion has been generating lakhs of taka daily.

Sarjis further claimed that on Wednesday, the UNO of Patgram caught two alleged extortionists and sentenced them to one month’s imprisonment through mobile court proceedings. Following this, hundreds of BNP and Swechasebak Dal activists allegedly attacked and vandalized the local police station before freeing the detainees. He said that when additional police were called from Hatibandha, BNP activists blocked that station as well.

 

“If BNP leaders and activists abuse their power at the grassroots and protect extortionists, how will the country be reformed?” Sarjis questioned in his post. He also alleged that these activities were taking place with the support of a local BNP MP aspirant.

The NCP leader urged BNP’s central leadership to take immediate action: “We want to see BNP’s position and measures against such misdeeds — even if their own leaders and activists are involved — not just words or statements.”

No immediate response has been issued by the BNP regarding the allegations.

END/RH/AJ