Extortion case against Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal leaders in Betagi, one arrested
Betagi (Barguna) Correspondent
An extortion case has been filed in Betagi, Barguna against two leaders of Bibichini Union Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal along with 10-12 unidentified individuals.
One of the Jubo Dal leaders has been arrested and sent to jail.
The case was filed at Betagi Police Station on Sunday morning. The plaintiff is Md. Zahid Hasan, a dredging and brick businessman from Krishnakathi village in Bakerganj Upazila, Barisal. His business entities are named Sardar Bricks and Zahid Traders. He has accused the defendants of demanding Tk 1 lakh as extortion.
According to the FIR, the prime accused are Helal Hossain Dinach (27), President of Bibichini Union Chhatra Dal, and Md. Adil Sikder (25), Vice-President of the same union’s Jubo Dal, along with 10-12 unidentified individuals. There is also an existing case against Chhatra Dal President Helal Hossain Dinach in Bakerganj for alleged involvement in rampant extortion before and after 5 August.
According to the case details and local sources, on the evening of 19 July, businessman Zahid Hasan and his workers were operating a dredger to dump sand in front of the house of Moklechur Rahman in Ward No. 3 of Bibichini Union’s Katakhali area. Suddenly, a group of 10 to 12 men arrived at the spot in motorcycles and auto-rickshaws, armed with local weapons such as machetes (ramda), hockey sticks, and GI pipes. They demanded Tk 1 lakh in cash to allow sand dumping and business operation. When Zahid Hasan refused to pay, Chhatra Dal President Helal Hossain Dinach and his associates became enraged and attacked the dredging workers and technicians, snatching Tk 37,000 in cash from Zahid’s pocket. Upon raising an alarm, the attackers threatened to halt the sand dumping, destroy the dredger, and kill or injure the workers unless the remaining Tk 63,000 was paid.
Moreover, Chhatra Dal President Helal Hossain Dinach has another pending case at the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court in Bakerganj, Barisal (CR Case No.-519, Date: 02-11-2024), filed by Md. Mahiuddin Hawlader, a resident of Niamati Union, for obstructing the construction of a shop on his own land and demanding Tk 2 lakh as extortion.
Denying the allegations, Bibichini Union Chhatra Dal President Helal Hossain Dinach stated, “I am involved in politics, brother. I went to the spot to mediate after hearing about the extortion issue. However, the allegation of demanding extortion money against me is not true.”
When asked, Betagi Police Station OC Md. Moniruzzaman said, one person has already been arrested and sent to jail in connection with the case. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the prime accused.
