Sreepur (Gazipur) Correspondent 

Allegations of extortion and social defamation have been raised against Md. Selim, an Open Market Sale (OMS) dealer engaged in food item distribution in the Keowa Bazar area of Sreepur Upazila, Gazipur. In response to the incident, Selim has filed a written complaint with the police station.

According to the complaint, on July 18 at around 10 AM, while Selim was having tea at Keowa Bazar, Rejaul Karim (42), who is speech-impaired, along with 5–6 other individuals, demanded a daily extortion payment of 300 taka from Selim. When he refused to comply, they allegedly abused him with offensive language and attempted to physically assault him.

Subsequently, the accused individuals collected rice and flour from OMS buyers at Keowa Bazar and, while loading them onto a rickshaw, deliberately recorded a video to spread false propaganda against Md. Selim. The video was posted by Rejaul Karim on his own Facebook account, which was widely circulated on social media with misleading captions and Selim’s image, causing significant damage to his social and professional reputation, as claimed by Selim.

Dealer Selim further alleged that the accused later threatened him again, demanding 30 kg of rice, 10 kg of flour, and 300 taka daily. They also threatened to beat him and remove him from his OMS dealership if he failed to meet their demands.

When asked about the matter, Rejaul Karim indirectly admitted to the demands for rice, flour, and cash in response to journalists’ inquiries.

Selim stated that, following a request from a local orphanage, he sold some rice to Maulana Belal Hossain, a teacher at a madrasa, out of a sense of social responsibility. Regarding this, Maulana Belal said, “I needed some rice for the students of my orphanage. As per the serial, the students brought 5 kg of rice each and put it into a sack to take to the madrasa. During this time, someone recorded a video and spread false propaganda. This is completely conspiratorial and undesirable.”

Following the incident, Selim was issued a show-cause notice by the food authorities, to which he has submitted his response.

Sreepur Police Station OC Md. Abdul Barik said, “We have received a written complaint regarding this incident. The matter will be investigated, and legal action will be taken against the accused.”