Sylhet Bureau

After being detained  with foreign liquor, allegations have been raised against a police nayek of releasing a drug dealer from the border tourist spot Niladri Ghat in Tahirpur, Sunamganj.

The released identified drug dealer is Abdul Kadir Jilani. He is the son of village physician Idris Ali of Lakma in the border village Takerghat, Tahirpur, and an accused in several cases.

The accused police nayek’s name is Liptu Chandra Dev. He is posted at the temporary police camp of Takerghat under Tahirpur Police Station in Sunamganj.

On Monday afternoon, several residents of Takerghat area in Tahirpur reported that on Sunday evening, professional drug dealer Abdul Kadir Jilani of the border village Takerghat Lakma was caught at Niladri Ghat in Takerghat with several bottles of foreign liquor while attempting to sell them. He was caught by police nayek Liptu Chandra Dev of Takerghat temporary police camp, Sohel—the son of Osman of Lakma border village, who is a motorcycle driver and police source—and others.

However, after going a short distance away from Niladri Ghat, police nayek Liptu and his associate motorcycle driver Sohel allegedly released Jilani after a settlement.

Residents of Takerghat and surrounding areas have alleged that police nayek Liptu along with some members of the police camp and motorcycle driver Sohel are openly moving around with several drug dealers including Jilani of the border area and building close relations with them.

When asked on Monday afternoon, Abdul Kadir Jilani of Lakma border village, Takerghat, claimed that he personally knows police nayek Liptu Chandra Dev of Takerghat police camp and motorcycle driver Sohel. He said, “I was at Niladri area of Takerghat from Sunday afternoon to evening, but police did not catch me with drugs. I no longer do drug trading.”

When asked whether there were any previous drug cases against him, Jilani said, “There was one drug case at the police station, which is now under trial in court.”

It should be noted that on October 6, 2024, Jilani was arrested by police from his home with 60 bottles of foreign liquor and beer.

Attempts were made several times to contact motorcycle driver and alleged police source Sohel, son of Osman of Lakma border village, via his personal mobile phone to get his statement.

Nayek Liptu Chandra Dev of Takerghat temporary police camp of Tahirpur police station denied the allegations, but admitted to knowing Jilani. He said, “After moving around with him for a few days, local people criticized me for being associated with a drug dealer, so I no longer mix with him. Police are trying to arrest him with drugs.” Liptu also stated that on Sunday evening he went to the police station with another arrested accused.

In this regard, Sub-Inspector Pankaj Das, in-charge of Takerghat temporary police camp under Tahirpur police station, said, “On Sunday evening, nayek Liptu went to the police station with an accused. Before or after that, what Liptu or motorcycle driver Sohel did, I have no knowledge about it.”