Youth Leaders Expelled Over Death Threat Row

Two district leaders of the Jubo Dal in Rangpur have been expelled from the organisation following serious allegations of intimidation, vandalism and threats to kill a business manager in connection with an attempt to seize control of a cable and internet enterprise.

The expelled leaders are Akibul Rahman (Monu), joint general secretary of the district unit, and Tamzidur Rashid (Galib), assistant general secretary. Their removal was confirmed on Sunday night in a letter signed by Minhazul Islam Bhuiya, assistant office secretary of the central Jubo Dal committee. The letter revoked their primary membership and all organisational posts, and urged law enforcement agencies to take appropriate legal action.

Allegations of Business Takeover

According to police and local sources, the dispute centres on the operations of Maya Cyber World, an internet service provider in Rangpur city. The business had been operating its cable and Wi-Fi services from Kamal Kachna to the Dakkhiganj cremation ground area through Cable One Network. The enterprise was previously overseen by Harun Or Rashid, a former joint convener of the Rangpur Metropolitan Jubo League and former councillor, who is currently in prison in connection with a case linked to anti-discrimination protests.

The victim’s family alleges that following the change in government, pressure was exerted on them to transfer control of the business. When they refused, their legally established feeder connection was allegedly severed in a premeditated move on 23 February. A formal complaint was subsequently lodged against eight individuals. On Saturday, Harun’s wife, Rebeka Harun, held a press conference outlining the allegations.

Office Attack and Threats

In a further escalation, a complaint filed with Rangpur Kotwali Police Station states that on Sunday at approximately 4:00 pm, Tamzidur Rashid and Akibul Rahman, accompanied by 15 to 20 associates, entered the Cable One office on Station Road. The group allegedly assaulted manager Raihan Ahmed and vandalised office equipment, including laptops and other devices. They are said to have demanded the appointment of Tamzidur Rashid as the new feed operator.

CCTV footage obtained by local media reportedly shows Akibul Rahman making a phone call to Mahadi Hasan, manager of Maya Cyber World, during which he issued explicit threats. According to the complaint, he warned that if the matter was not resolved by the afternoon, he would go to the manager’s home and shoot him along with his wife and children.

Tamzidur Rashid has denied wrongdoing, claiming the cable line had belonged to him until 2015 and was unlawfully taken while he was imprisoned during a political blockade. He stated that he had only sought to resolve the matter through discussion and denied involvement in any assault.

Case Status

Rangpur Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahjahan Ali confirmed that two separate cases have been filed naming Tamzidur Rashid and Akibul Rahman, along with 15 to 20 unidentified individuals. No arrests had been made at the time of reporting.