Rupganj ( Narayanganj ) Correspondent

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Rupganj, Md. Saiful Islam Joy, on Tuesday alleged that he became the target of a smear campaign on social media after refusing to pay an alleged extortion demand of Tk 50,000.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Rupganj Upazila Parishad auditorium, the UNO said that despite serving as an Executive Magistrate, he had become a victim of an extortion attempt and sought legal remedy against those responsible.

According to Saiful Islam Joy, a man identified as Shahin Alam, along with an associate, initially requested that the UNO arrange hotel bookings and airline tickets for a trip to Cox's Bazar. When he declined the request, they allegedly demanded Tk 50,000 in cash and threatened to harass and defame him if the money was not paid.

The UNO further alleged that the group had previously been accused of extortion in different areas.

Following his refusal to meet the demand, the group allegedly launched a campaign on various social media platforms accusing him of irregularities, corruption, and embezzlement in the implementation of development projects under the government's one percent allocation fund.

Rejecting the allegations, Saiful Islam Joy said the authority to spend the one percent allocation does not rest with the UNO. He explained that the funds are implemented by the chairmen and members of the local Union Parishads. He also stated that the development projects under the allocation had been publicly announced by the Member of Parliament for Narayanganj-1, Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu, leaving no scope for irregularities, corruption, or misuse of public funds.