Coast Guard Accused of Bias After Detention of Student Leader

BNP, the student wing and other affiliated organisations have protested after a student leader and two others were detained while allegedly collecting extortion money from a sand-laden bulkhead in Ramgati of Lakshmipur. At a press conference, they stated that the extortion charge was fabricated and false, and also claimed that the Coast Guard officer conducting the operation was a former Chhatra League activist.

On Wednesday (26 November) at around 12 pm, the written statement at the press conference held at the Upazila BNP office was presented by Upazila Chhatra Dal’s general secretary, Eraj Mahmud. Present at the event were Upazila BNP president Jamal Uddin, general secretary Md Shiraj Uddin, Municipal BNP general secretary Murtuza Al Amin, Upazila Jubo Dal general secretary Shah Md Shibbir, along with leaders and activists from BNP, Chhatra Dal and affiliated organisations.

Earlier on Tuesday at around 11:30 am, the Coast Guard detained Toihidul Islam Noyon, joint convener of the Alexander A S M Abdur Rob Government College Chhatra Dal unit, along with two associates from the Alexander Asolpara launch ghat area, on charges of extortion. The Coast Guard claimed to have recovered receipts used for collecting money, and later filed a case over the incident.

At the press conference held the following day, speakers claimed that Noyon had recently criticised supporters of the Awami League on a Facebook live, and that he was framed in a conspiratorial case as a consequence. They further alleged that Md Sohan, a field staff (FS) of the Coast Guard’s intelligence wing, was a Chhatra League activist and, in collaboration with some local conspirators, conducted the operation in exchange for money. They also alleged that after being detained, Noyon and his associates were tortured at the Ramgati station camp and an attempt was made to pull out their toenails.

Responding to the allegations, Ramgati Coast Guard station commander Abdus Shahid said that Noyon and his associates had been under observation for several days based on intelligence reports regarding their involvement in extortion. Acting on precise information, the Coast Guard team detained them from the spot and recovered extortion receipts. He said the allegations made at the press conference were untrue.

Khaborwala/SS