JCD issues show-cause notices to eight over extortion from smuggling vehicles

Sylhet district unit of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal issued show-cause notices to eight leaders and activists over allegations that they stopped vehicles carrying Indian smuggled goods in Gowainghat upazila and collected money from them.

The notices were issued on Monday night in a statement signed by Zainal Abedin Rahel, assistant office secretary of the district unit. The accused have been asked to submit written explanations within 48 hours.

Those served with the notices are Fatehpur Union Chhatra Dal President Nazim Uddin, Senior Vice-President Jamal Uddin, Vice-President Belal Ahmed, General Secretary Tofayel Ahmed Helu, Assistant Organising Secretary Golam Rabbani, and union unit leaders Nazmul Islam Manna, Shahriad Ahmed and Nazmul Hasan Nayeem.

According to local sources, pickup trucks carrying Indian smuggled goods travel at high speeds along the Sylhet-Tamabil highway every day, raising safety concerns among residents and pedestrians. Allegations surfaced that Chhatra Dal leaders and activists in Fatehpur Union collected money from the vehicles after nightfall. 

WhatsApp chats and videos allegedly related to the activity recently circulated on Facebook, prompting the district unit to take organisational action.

Nazim denied the allegations, saying they had tried to stop the vehicles in protest against alleged smuggling and dangerous driving.

He said a pickup truck had hit and damaged his parked motorcycle while a convoy of 40 to 50 vehicles passed through Fatehpur market at high speed one night. Around midnight, another convoy of 70 to 80 vehicles travelled through the area, prompting him to record videos and inform the officer-in-charge of the police station and the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).

According to Nazim, the officials initially said they were unaware of the vehicles' movement. When a similar incident occurred the following day, he contacted the UNO again and was allegedly told that complaints would be ineffective because the vehicles had approval from influential quarters.

Nazim said some young men later tried to signal the vehicles to stop, but someone recorded the incident and circulated it as evidence of extortion. He denied collecting money and alleged that the WhatsApp messages presented against him had been fabricated to implicate him.

Muminul Haque, member secretary of Gowainghat upazila Chhatra Dal, said the speeding vehicles had been causing problems in Fatehpur market. After the activists posted a video of the situation on social media, the district unit's president asked him to investigate, he said.

He added that the inquiry uncovered WhatsApp messages and screenshots allegedly showing that a group of 10 to 15 people had discussed how to stop the vehicles and collect money from them. The district unit issued the notices after reviewing the evidence, he said.

Juber Ahmed Juber, acting president of Sylhet district Chhatra Dal, said the organisation received reports alleging that the accused were involved in illegal activities and businesses. 

The unit had issued the notices to investigate the allegations and sent representatives to look into the matter, he added.