Tangail, August 5 (V7N) - On Monday, August 4, families and residents of the Santosh area in Tangail organized a series of protests demanding the immediate release of three local leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) who were recently arrested in connection with an alleged extortion case.
 
The protests included a human chain demonstration in front of the Tangail Deputy Commissioner’s office, submission of a memorandum, and a press conference held at the Tangail Press Club. The accused—Md. Zubair Hossain, Organizing Secretary of Tangail City BNP and General Secretary of Ward 7; Golam Rabbani, Religious Affairs Secretary and President of Ward 8; and Shah Alam Mia, General Secretary of BNP Ward 8—were detained by police on August 1 and 2 from the Santosh neighborhood of Tangail municipality.
 
Police claim the arrests followed a complaint by a local fish trader who reportedly received a letter on the letterhead of an alleged criminal group named “Killer Gang,” demanding Tk 5 lakh in extortion. Five individuals, including the three BNP leaders, were arrested in connection with the case.
 
At the protest, Zubair Hossain’s brother, Md. Moniruzzaman, along with community members Masum Ahmed, Hafez Mohammad Ali, Sharmin Akter, and Lipi Akter, publicly condemned the arrests, calling the charges fabricated and politically motivated. “No rational person would believe that anyone in this digital age would demand extortion through a physical letter,” said one speaker.
 
Protesters claimed the accused individuals are from well-established families and are known for their reputable businesses in the area. They alleged that the arrests are part of a broader strategy to harass opposition figures and suppress political dissent. Speakers also referenced past incidents during previous administrations where opposition members faced what they called systemic persecution.
 
Following the human chain, a memorandum demanding immediate withdrawal of the case and the unconditional release of the detainees was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Tangail. During the subsequent press conference, Moniruzzaman reiterated these demands and maintained that the accusations are a clear attempt to defame the local BNP leadership.
 
In a swift response, the district unit of the BNP has suspended the three leaders from the party, pending further investigation.
 
The case has sparked controversy, raising concerns about the impartiality of law enforcement actions in politically sensitive matters. Human rights advocates have called for transparency and due process in the ongoing investigation.
 
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