A local leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of BNP, has been accused of extorting money from makeshift shoppers near the main gate of Feni Government College and threatening to kill a journalist who reported on the matter.The accused Zillur Rahman is joint convenor of the college unit of JCD and an assistant secretary of the district unit.Sources said around 10 temporary stalls selling snacks and beverages such as fuchka, ice cream, and other items are set up daily in the afternoon in front of the college gate.After August 5, Zillur allegedly started collecting Tk 50 per day from each vendor.The shoppers, though frustrated at this needless badgering, remain silent for fear of harassment or eviction.Speaking anonymously, several vendors alleged that the JCD leader collects money daily through Rabiul Haque Milon, a college security guard.Milon admitted to collecting money from vendors but did not disclose for whom he was collecting it.When contacted, Zillur denied the allegations.Abdul Halim Manik, convenor of the college unit JCD, said he was unaware of any Chhatra Dal leader being involved in extortion but promised to inform district leaders if specific evidence emerged.Following the publication of a report titled “Extortion by JCD Leader from Street Vendors at Feni College Gate” in the local daily Dainik Feni’r Shomoy on Monday, Zillur allegedly threatened the newspaper’s chief reporter, Arif Azam, over the phone.

Prompting the threat, the victim filed a general diary (GD) with Feni model police station.Shamsuzzaman, officer-in-charge of the police station, said they were investigating the incident.Feni district JCD President Salauddin Mamun said they are aware of the allegations of extortion and death threats, and action will be taken after an investigation.