Pabna, Sept 24 (V7N) – Business owners in Bhangura, Pabna, staged a protest, human chain, and press conference on Tuesday against alleged extortion and death threats by a local BNP leader.
 
The demonstration, organized by the Bhangura Industry and Traders Association, began around 11 a.m. at Bokultola in the municipal area. The traders first marched through the main roads before holding a human chain and press briefing. Some BNP activists also joined the program in solidarity.
 
Victim businessman A.K.M. Hanif Bablu alleged that on the night of September 4, municipal BNP organizing secretary and local motor workers’ union president Motaleeb Hossain, along with his associate Shah Shikdar, demanded Tk 50,000 outside his business premises. When he refused, they verbally abused him and threatened to vandalize his two microbuses and even kill him. Following the incident, Bablu filed a general diary (GD) with Bhangura Police Station.
 
At the press conference, association founder and adviser Hafiz Uddin Bahar condemned the threats, saying no political leader should be allowed to openly extort money or issue death threats. He demanded the immediate arrest of the accused, their expulsion from political positions, stronger police patrols in market areas, and proper investigation of the GD.
 
Other speakers included vice president Saiful Islam, businessman Haji Ashraf Ali, Bablu himself, and upazila BNP joint convener Anisur Rahman Liton. They warned of tougher movements, including closing down markets, if their demands were ignored.
 
Efforts to reach the accused BNP leader proved unsuccessful as his phone remained switched off. Local sources said he is currently in India for medical treatment.
 
Bhangura municipal BNP president Rafiqul Islam acknowledged the complaint, stating that action would be taken after verifying the facts. He noted that internal factional disputes may have contributed to the situation.
 
Bhangura police officer-in-charge Shafiqul Islam confirmed that the GD was under investigation. He said law enforcement was committed to ensuring the safety of traders and residents, with regular patrols being conducted in market areas to prevent law violations.
 
END/MSR/SMA/