In a special joint operation in Sylhet’s Gowainghat, six individuals involved in illegal extortion on river routes have been arrested. Along with the arrestees, local weapons and two engine-run boats—used to block sand-laden bulkheads on the river—have also been seized on Sunday.
The operation was conducted jointly by the Gowainghat Upazila administration, Gowainghat police, river police, and the Bangladesh Army.
The raid took place in Lengura village under Ward 4 of Lengura Union, targeting a group extorting money from sand transport vessels on the river.
The arrested individuals are: Iqbal Hossain Imon (21),Kudrat Ullah (43),Tofayel Ahmed (26),Badr Uddin (45),Rahim Uddin (45),Suleman (30)
Sources reveal that the extortion ring was led by Azmal Hossain (26), son of Faisal Ahmed of Lengura village. Azmal and his associates illegally detained sand-carrying bulkheads transporting sand from government-leased sandbanks. Despite multiple attempts at resolution through meetings with the leaseholders, no solution was reached.
Reportedly, over 200 sand-laden bulkheads remained stranded for 15 days under the control of Azmal’s gang. This triggered widespread criticism across social media and concern within the administration. The joint force, under the leadership of the Upazila administration, launched an operation to rescue the detained boatmen—estimated to be around one thousand.
Although Azmal managed to flee during the operation, some of his associates engaged in verbal altercations with army and administration officials, leading to the immediate arrest of six individuals. Preparations are underway to file cases against the arrestees at Gowainghat Police Station for illegal extortion and possession of local weapons.
UNO Ratan Kumar Adhikari, who led the operation, said:“Acting on reports of illegal detention of sand-carrying bulkheads, we launched the operation with support from the Bangladesh Army and Gowainghat police. All the boats have been released.”
Gowainghat Police Station OC Sarkar Tofayel Ahmed confirmed“:Six persons directly involved in detaining the boats have been arrested. Two wooden boats and local weapons used in the crime were also seized.”
During the operation, a man named Humayun Ahmed, posing as a journalist, attempted to spread rumors via Facebook Live and interfered with official duties. He was physically assaulted by the public and is now undergoing treatment at the hospital. Locals claim that illiterate Humayun Ahmed, claiming to be a nephew of former President Abdul Hamid, operates criminal activities with impunity in Gowainghat and is one of the masterminds behind river-route extortion. Police efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the extortion ring.
