Fishermen form human chain in Hatiya demanding arrest of former UP chairman 'Picchi Azad'
Hatia (Noakhali) Correspondent
People from all walks of life, including local fishermen, have formed a human chain demanding the arrest of Abdul Halim Azad, former chairman of Char Ishwar Union in Hatia, a coastal island upazila of Noakhali.
Hundreds of people participated in the human chain organized on the main road of the Upazila Parishad on Thursday afternoon. Organized under the banner of 'People from all walks of life of Char Ishwar Union', the program was addressed by fish traders Ripon Chandra Das, Akter Hossain Kiron, Shariful Islam Dukhu and Md. Khabir Uddin, among others.
The speakers said that there are more than 30 cases against former chairman Abdul Halim Azad, including murder, extortion, land grabbing, and fraud. Yet he is roaming around the divine area and establishing a new reign of terror.
They alleged that he has been in hiding since August 5. But recently he has returned to the area and is again involved in intimidation, extortion and illegal extortion. Although the police administration knows everything, for some mysterious reason, no action is being taken.
The speakers at the human chain further alleged that Picchi Azad is forcibly extorting money from various fishing grounds in Char Ishwar Union through his terrorist forces. He is selling each VT for more than three lakh taka in the name of creating fishing grounds.
In addition, an oil syndicate is being formed in Afazia Bazar and extorting Tk 20,000 per month from each trader. There are also allegations that crab traders are being held hostage and forced to sell to him at low prices.
Locals allege that Azad has looted cows and fish from the farm of Rashed Member, a current member of the union. He is also accused of selling government land by making fake settlement documents.
The speakers said that the locals are fed up with such encroachment, extortion and terrorist activities. The common people are spending their days in fear and insecurity. The participants in the human chain demanded the immediate arrest of Abdul Halim Azad alias Picchi Azad and bringing him under the law.
