Protest in Durgapur over allegations of 'extortion, encroachment' in the name of BNP
Durgapur (Rajshahi) Correspondent
A protest march and rally were held in Durgapur, Rajshahi, on the initiative of a section of the upazila and municipal BNP over allegations of extortion, encroachment and rehabilitation of identified Awami League associates in the name of BNP.
The protest rally was held in front of the Upazila Model Mosque on Thursday afternoon. Before the rally, a protest procession was taken out around the main road of the municipal headquarters. Thousands of leaders and activists from seven unions of the upazila and various wards of the municipal area and the general public participated in it.
The protest rally was presided over by Upazila BNP senior joint convener Aynal Haque. Upazila BNP former president and senior leader Bablur Rahman was the chief guest. Upazila BNP former general secretary and former chairman Hasan Faruk Imam Sumon spoke as the main speaker.
Keynote speaker Hasan Faruk Imam Sumon said, "Some BNP leaders did not participate in any program or movement announced by the center during the party's difficult times. They are continuing to cooperate with the fascist Awami League government. Now those same people are involved in extortion and encroachment in the area. Remember, the true dedicated workers of BNP will never accept these misdeeds."
He further alleged, "Some leaders have divided the party by selling the well-organized BNP of Durgapur to Awami League ally Abdus Sattar for money. Abdus Sattar was a financier of local Awami League leaders, MPs and ministers in Dhaka during the student-public movement in July-August. For this reason, a case has been filed against him at Kadamtali Police Station, among whose accused are Hasina and Quader as well as central leaders of Awami League."
He warned, "You still have time to stop the collusion and extortion with your Awami League friends. Otherwise, the real BNP of Durgapur will unite and wash your hands."
Addressing party leaders and activists, Sumon said, "We must stand united against those who have given place to hybrids in the union committees in the name of the party and in the name of the fascist Awami League. I demand party organizational measures and expulsion against those who recently announced committees in six unions of the upazila in exchange for money."
He called on the loyalist leaders and activists to remain united and resist infiltrators in the party.
Municipal BNP member secretary Ahmed Rezaul Haque Swapan, former municipal BNP president Bazlur Rashid, upazila BNP member and party-nominated candidate in the municipal mayoral election Zarsis Hossain Sohel, among others, also spoke at the rally.
The meeting was moderated by District Jubo Dal member Mahbub Rahman. Present at the meeting were former Upazila Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal president Nahidul Haque Biday, BNP leader Mirun Commissioner, District Jubo Dal member Masud Rana Masum, Rentu, former Joint Convener of Jubo Dal Mahmud Hasan Talukder, Swechchhasebak Dal district member and former General Secretary of the municipal branch Milon Hossain, District Chhatra Dal member Parvez Ahmed Palash, Municipal Chhatra Dal member secretary SM Shakib Hasan, Joint Convener Faisal Ahmed Shanto and member Sagar Ali, along with more than a hundred leaders and workers from different levels of the party.
