Protests demand punishment for various allegations including extortion, intimidation against Chhatra Dal leader

Comilla Correspondent

A leader of the Muradnagar Upazila Chhatra Dal in Comilla has been accused of being involved in various immoral activities in the area. Local residents and leaders and activists of BNP’s affiliate organizations have taken out a protest march demanding his punishment.

The protest took place in Kamarchar village of Kamalla Union of the upazila on Wednesday afternoon, March 18.

The name of the Chhatra Dal leader is Yasin Arafat. He is the joint convener of Muradnagar Upazila Chhatra Dal. The protesters allege that Yasin has been involved in various immoral activities in the area for a long time, including extortion and intimidation, by using party influence. When they protest these activities, the victims are being harassed by filing false cases against them.

Halima Begum, a resident of Kamarchar village, local BNP leaders Khalilur Rahman, Mahbub Alam, Nasir Uddin Nayan, Kamal Uddin, Kamalla Union BNP organizing secretary Sadequr Rahman, Kamalla Union Volunteer Party joint convener Jamir Hossain and many others were present at the protest march.

Resident Halima Begum alleged that Yasin Arafat took 1.7 million taka from her about two years ago by promising to sell her land. But until now, instead of handing over the land, another 5 million taka is being demanded as ransom. When she tried to seek justice locally in this matter, she was subjected to insults and torture.

Kamalla Union Volunteer Party convener Riazul Islam said that the locals had arrested Chhatra Dal leader Yasin red-handed on charges of having an immoral relationship with an expatriate’s wife. Later, he filed a false case at the police station against the arresters and harassed them.

Local leaders complained that the party’s image was being tarnished by Yasin Arafat’s activities. They demanded that organizational action be taken against him and exemplary punishment be meted out to him by bringing him under the law.

Meanwhile, in response to the written complaint from the villagers, Muradnagar Upazila Chhatra Dal issued a show cause notice to Yasin Arafat on Tuesday, March 17. It asked him to appear at the party office within the next 24 hours and provide a written explanation.

However, Yasin Arafat has denied all the allegations. He claimed that the allegations against him are politically motivated and completely false. On Wednesday night, Yasin Arafat told Prothom Alo, “I am vocal against those who create mobs in the area and extort money. I am being harassed in various ways because I protested against these. The allegations against me are completely false and fabricated. And I have responded to the show cause notice issued to the Upazila Chhatra Dal today.”

Muradnagar Upazila Chhatra Dal convener Khairul Hasan’s mobile phone and WhatsApp number were called several times to inquire about this matter, but he did not pick up.