Saidul Islam Montu, Betagi (Barguna)

Controversial local politician Md Nesar Uddin Khan, Convenor of Betagi Upazila Swechchhasebak  Dal and former joint convenor of Upazila BNP, has sparked intense public criticism once again following the release of a new viral video allegedly showing him demanding extortion money. 

Local residents and party workers report that his illegal activities have escalated continuously since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.

The latest controversy surfaced on Sunday night when a video clip recorded on Saturday began circulating widely on social media. The video depicts Nesar demanding illegal tolls from sand extraction operations, uttering, "Give whatever you can today..." to which an aggrieved victim is heard responding repeatedly, "I have no money, I have no money."

Despite repeated organizational warnings and show-cause notices from senior party leaders, Nesar faces mounting allegations of widespread extortion, illegal toll collection, government land grabbing, intimidation of fellow party members, case trading, and fake committee creation. Local victims have filed at least 10 General Diaries (GDs) and one formal criminal case against him at Betagi Police Station, alongside organizing public human chain demonstrations demanding his arrest.

Nesar was previously sent to jail in 2025 by Judge SM Shariatullah of the Barguna Speedy Trial Court after his bail prayer was rejected in a fast-track extortion case filed by local business owners. More recently, on July 24, 2026, local authorities deployed a mobile court to demolish an illegal structure erected by Nesar on government property in Betagi town.

According to local victims and party insiders, following the August 5 political transition, Nesar formed an armed motorcycle cadre group to systematically target local business communities and minority Hindu families across the upazila. Those refusing his monetary demands face physical assault and legal harassment. To cloak his illicit operations, Nesar recently established several front organizations, including the "Upazila Press Club" and a local landless organization, appointing himself president to project an image of media leadership.

Case documents reveal that on March 4, 2025, Nesar and his associates forcibly entered "Tauhid Store" at Betagi bus stand, threatening lessee Md Khokon Howlader and demanding Tk 2 lakh in extortion money to allow his tempu stand lease to operate. When the demand went unpaid, Nesar set up an illegal toll booth on April 14, 2025, issuing fake receipts to collect money from passing vehicles. Although the UNO  initially ordered an immediate halt to the collection, Nesar defied administrative orders, prompting Khokon Howlader to file a formal case under the Law and Order Disruptive Crimes (Speedy Trial) Act.

Following his actions, prominent local leaders—including Upazila BNP Joint Convenor Nasir Uddin Biswas, Pourashava Jubo Dal Convenor Jasim Uddin, Upazila Volunteer Dal Joint Convenor Firoz Alam Swapan, Upazila Sramik Dal Joint Convenor Yunus Sikdar, and former Union BNP General Secretary Md Sobahan—held a mass human chain on April 14, 2025, demanding his immediate expulsion and prosecution.

Organizational action was initiated on April 24, 2025, when Barguna District Volunteer Dal Convenor Md Rajibul Islam Sohel and Member Secretary Md Faizul Malek Sojib issued a show-cause notice through office member Md Yasir Rahman Sohaib, directing Nesar to explain his violation of party discipline within 48 hours. However, party activists allege that no effective disciplinary enforcement followed, allowing Nesar to continue his extortion syndicate with impunity. Local union-level Volunteer Dal leaders further allege that Nesar has extracted lakhs of taka by selling union committee posts and forcing local leaders to pay compulsory event levies.

"After August 5, Nesar Uddin Khan has been illegally collecting money from local shopkeepers and drivers using fake receipts printed under my store's name," said leaseholder Md Khokon Howlader. "Business owners are living under constant terror."

Former Upazila BNP Convenor and former Mayor Shahjahan Kabir said , "The party will not take responsibility for anyone using the BNP banner for criminal acts. There is no place for extortionists in our organization. 

Accused leader Md Nesar Uddin Khan denied all allegations, claiming, "Political rivals, envious of my popularity, are spreading false propaganda against me."

Betagi Police Station OC  Md Harun Or Rashid Hawlader said, while no formal written complaint regarding the recent sand extraction video has reached the police station yet. 

 Betagi UNO  Muh. Saddam Hossain said,   verbal complaints against Nesar have been received and necessary administrative action will be taken.