A prominent local political activist in the Mymensingh district faces serious allegations of financial fraud after allegedly extracting money from vulnerable villagers under the pretext of securing government-backed social safety net allocations.
The suspect, identified as 55-year-old Mohammad Abul Kalam, is a resident of Syedgaon village within the Moazzempur Union of Nandail Upazila. According to formal complaints, Kalam holds the position of General Secretary for the Mymensingh North District branch of the Muktijoddha Projonmo Dal, an organisation affiliated with the descendants of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War veterans.
The matter came to public light after Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain, 27, a resident of Kalenga village, lodged a written complaint with local journalists seeking immediate official intervention and redress. According to the statements provided by Hossain and other victims, Kalam extorted a total of 7,500 Bangladeshi Taka from three residents across neighbouring villages roughly two months ago. The money was collected on the explicit assurance that Kalam would obtain official “Family Cards” and “Farmer Cards” for them—state initiatives designed to provide subsidized food staples, agricultural inputs, and financial aid to lower-income households.
Hossain detailed that Kalam collected 2,000 Taka directly from him, alongside 500 Taka from his aunt, Majida Khatun. Furthermore, Kalam reportedly extracted an additional 5,000 Taka from Mohammad Latif Miah, a resident of nearby Shimulatia village and the son of the late Gani Miah.
Whenever the victims subsequently inquired about the delay in receiving their cards, Kalam routinely resorted to evasive tactics and repeated deferrals. The situation escalated when the victims requested a full refund of their funds, at which point Kalam allegedly resorted to verbal threats and intimidation.
Expressing his frustration, Hossain stated that every attempt to discuss the delivery of the promised cards was met with deliberate procrastination. When the affected parties demanded their money back, they were subjected to direct harassment. Latif Miah, who lives in poverty, recounted how he handed over 5,000 Taka in the hope of securing essential family benefits, only to be left without the card or his savings.
Denying all allegations, Kalam claimed that the complaints are entirely fabricated and stem from a deliberate political conspiracy aimed at smearing his reputation. He warned that he intends to take legal action against his accusers to defend his standing within the Muktijoddha Projonmo Dal.
Government welfare schemes, including Family and Farmer Cards, are intended to provide transparent support directly to citizens, with official registration conducted entirely free of charge by state authorities. Exploitative middleman tactics targeting rural communities often undermine these administrative efforts.
Attempts to reach the Nandail Upazila Social Services Officer, Mohammad Mizanul Islam Akanda, were unsuccessful as his official telephone remained powered off. However, the Nandail Upazila Agriculture Officer, Naima Sultana, clarified that the issuance of Farmer Cards requires no monetary transaction whatsoever. She pledged to investigate the incident thoroughly and brief the central administration. Concurrently, the Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) of Nandail, Fatema Jannat, confirmed that strict legal measures will be enforced if an official enquiry substantiates the allegations.
