ET Desk: In Balaganj, Sylhet District, there are constant reports of an increase in criminal activities, including attacks, armed clashes, mob violence, theft, robbery, drug dealing, gambling, and open extortion, to maintain dominance in the area. ‘Gang culture’ or organized crime has taken a frightening form.

These criminal crimes are happening openly. The criminals are not caring about anyone; rather, they are becoming more reckless day by day. Such continuous activities are causing fear and panic among the common people. However, there are allegations that the law enforcement agencies are taking a soft role instead of being strict in handling the situation.

Businessman Imran Ahmed Roman, a member of the Balaganj Bazar Merchants’ Association, complained that an organized extortion gang demanded a bribe of Tk 50,000 from his driver.

On April 12, he filed a written complaint with Balaganj Police Station, citing the incident of beating a driver for not paying the extortion fee. In it, he accused Mostafizur Rahman Munna alias Munna Chora (30), son of Harun of Chanpur village, Mizan (28), son of Jalil, Saymon (25), son of Lucky Mia, and Shanto (28), son of Alamin of Balaganj Bazar, and several others.

The incident report states that Roman and another person were transporting soil, sand and stones in a truck jointly owned by them. On the afternoon of April 10, Munna, Mizan, Simon and Shanto demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 from the driver of Roman’s truck. At that time, Munna introduced himself as a Jubo Dal worker and threatened that the vehicle would not be allowed to ply unless the bribe was paid, and beat up the driver, causing him to be mortally injured.

During this time, Munna and his people forcibly took away the keys of the motorcycle used by Roman’s business partner Azizul. On the evening of the incident, Munna and his people blocked Roman’s path in Balaganj Bazaar. The incident of attacking Roman with weapons and demanding extortion from him again was observed by the people of the Bazaar as silent spectators, the complaint states.

On March 12, a young man named Suhel from Balaganj Zero Point area was picked up by the Munna Chakra from his house and demanded extortion from him. Suhel alleged that he was beaten in a horrific terrorist manner and left with bloody injuries when he did not pay the demanded extortion of 50,000 taka. During the incident, everyone saw a video of me being brutally tortured on Facebook. I did not have the courage to file a case due to fear of them.

Recently, in the incident of extortion being demanded from the owner of a scrap shop in West Nabinagar, the headquarters of Balaganj Upazila, the owner of the shop complained, saying, “When I refused to pay, the terrorist Munna and his men beat me up.” The written complaint submitted to the police station states that local people are aware of their drug sales, gambling, theft, robbery and extortion in various places in Balaganj.

Shipa Begum, wife of Makhon Mia, former president of the Balaganj Bazar Merchants Association, the owner of the shop, filed a written complaint on April 14 in Balaganj regarding the extortion demand from the son of a cloth merchant in Balaganj Bazar on April 13. Munna, Mizan, Saymon, Orp Das, son of Pankaj Das of Chanpur village, Kajal, son of Helal, and Jisan, son of Sayesta, have been accused in the case.

On the evening of the incident, the extortionist Munna and his associates called the shipper’s son from the shop. They took him to a dark and secluded place and tried to rob him of his mobile phone, demanding a ransom of 50,000 taka. The written complaint states that they threatened to close the business if the ransom was not paid.

 Describing the incident of extortion demanded from a businessman named Chhotan Hossain Munna of Balaganj Fish Market on February 22, the businessman said that members of the criminal gang including Munna threatened to close the business if the extortion was not paid. On February 25, the criminals led by Munna publicly burned the motorcycle of BNP leader Masuk Mia, former joint convener of the Balaganj Bazar Merchants’ Association, in broad daylight, leaving everyone shocked.

Investigations revealed that Munna used to be involved in Chhatra League politics in the past. His uncle was in a responsible position in Balaganj Upazila Chhatra League. He has been involved in theft, robbery and robbery, so several cases have been filed against him in the past. He has been jailed and sentenced several times in these cases. Local residents complained that after the change of the 24-hour period, Munna joined the politics of Jubo Dal under the umbrella of local influential leaders. An organized criminal gang was formed under his leadership.

Munna, supported by the corrupt leaders of the ruling party, has become more reckless. Under his leadership, this criminal gang has been openly engaging in extortion, drug use and sale, theft, robbery, robbery, burning of hired cars, various types of gambling, attacks, clashes with weapons and mob terrorism to maintain dominance in the area. The members of the teenage gang formed under his leadership are becoming active in various crimes.

Although there have been nearly a hundred thefts and robberies in various parts of the upazila, including the Balaganj Bazar area, the police station is not taking these incidents seriously. Locals have complained that no effective legal action has been taken despite written complaints to the police.

Munna’s various terrorist activities have caused panic among the traders and people around Balaganj Bazar. Many have been seen posting pictures of the terrorist Munna with the local MP on social media, drawing the attention of senior police officials, local MPs and senior BNP leaders to quickly bring him under the law.

When contacted on mobile phone, Munna claimed to be a worker of Jubo Dal, but he cut off the call without commenting on the robbery and extortion. When the attention of Sylhet-3 MP MA Malik was drawn to these incidents, he said, “If anyone commits illegal or immoral activities by tarnishing the party or my name, I or my party will not take responsibility for it. If anyone is involved in these incidents, I have already told the police station to take action.”

Balaganj Upazila BNP President Mohammad Golam Rabbani said, “Munna is not a worker of my party. If he is involved in extortion and extortion under the party’s name, then legal action must be taken.” Confirming the receipt of the written complaints in this regard, Balaganj Police Station OC Mahfuz Imtiaz Bhuiyan said, “The incidents of the complaint are under investigation, other incidents are being investigated. Legal action will be taken after identifying the members of the criminal gang or juvenile gang.”