Jamaat leader threatens to kill landowner, demands extortion, halts construction work

❐ Local correspondent

A local Jamaat leader has been accused of demanding extortion money in Pirganj, Rangpur, and stopping construction work and threatening to kill him after failing to pay it. The victim, Aminul Islam, has filed a written complaint with Pirganj Police Station seeking protection.

According to the complaint, Aminul Islam, a resident of Ward No. 2 of Pirganj Municipality, was working on constructing a boundary wall by purchasing a piece of land. During this work, Baten Mia, a resident of Chhota Paharpur village in Shanerhat Union and a member of Ward No. 8 of Jamaat-e-Islami, demanded a bribe of Tk 5 lakh from him.

The victim said that on Monday morning, Baten Mia and 15-20 other terrorists from Jamaat-Shibir arrived at the construction site. When they refused to pay the ransom, the accused abused Aminul Islam and his family members in obscene language and threatened to kill them.

In this regard, Aminul Islam said, “I was building a boundary wall there as a legal owner of the property. Jamaat leader Baten Mia has stopped my construction work by threatening to kill me by using party influence. Now I am suffering from insecurity.”

Several people, including residents Seema Begum, Rabiul Mia and Ripon Mia, confirmed the truth of the incident.

When asked about the complaint, Baten Mia said on the phone, “I will do what I have to do; I won’t tell you.”

When asked to confirm his political identity, Baten Mia initially denied the matter, but later tried to change his mind when the reporter said he knew his identity. At one point, he denied the accusation of demanding extortion using the identity of a Jamaat-e-Islami activist.

He claims that they went to arbitration to resolve their brother-sister land dispute, where he also became agitated due to an argument with Aminul. However, he admits that the construction work is currently stopped.

Regarding the complaint, Upazila Jamaat Amir Mizanur Rahman said, “If the matter comes to our attention, it will be investigated.”

Pirganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Nazmul Haque said that after receiving the complaint, the police have already inspected the scene and legal action will be taken after investigation.