Sreepur (Gazipur) Correspondent

In Sreepur, Gazipur, a group of local influential individuals allegedly halted construction work on a government-funded road and demanded Tk 2 million in extortion. The road was being built under the allocation of the Union Parishad.

Mostafizur Rahman Sohag (40), son of late Monsur Moktar of Abdar village in Telihati Union, filed a written complaint at Sreepur Model Police Station against the accused individuals recently. 

According to the complaint, the accused are Rafiqul Islam (44), Atikul Islam (37), Bacchu Mia (41), Faiz Uddin (47), Harun (40), and Nazmul (27)—all residents of the same area. Locals allege that these individuals have long been involved in criminal activities, including extortion and intimidation.

As per the complaint, on 25 June, with Union Parishad funding, a 129-foot-long brick-paved road construction began, stretching from the northwest corner of Faridpur Pond in Telihati towards Dewaner Chala. However, at around 10 AM on 9 July, the accused, along with others, forcibly stopped the work and demanded Tk 2 million in extortion. They threatened to permanently stop the project if the money was not paid.

Furthermore, on the morning of 12 July (Saturday), the accused allegedly returned in a group and deliberately damaged a major portion of the under-construction road, severely obstructing public movement.

Local residents reported that the incident has created a climate of fear in the area. Students attending nearby schools, colleges, and madrasas are suffering the most due to the disruption. They have demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the accused.

One of the accused, Rafiqul Islam, claimed that “We have a longstanding land dispute with Sohag’s family. There was no road here before. The new road is being built over our land, which is why we objected.”

Sub-Inspector (SI) Abul Bashar of Sreepur Model Police Station stated, “Upon receiving the complaint, we visited the site and confirmed that a part of the government-funded road was indeed cut and damaged. Both parties have been summoned to the police station for mediation.”