A senior official from the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, the youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been issued a show-cause notice following allegations of harassment, extortion, and the misuse of political influence in Brahmanbaria.
The central committee of the Jubo Dal served the formal notice to Asaduzzaman Biplob, the former organizational secretary of the Nabinagar Pourashava unit, on Saturday, 24 October. The disciplinary step comes on the heels of a confrontation involving a team of national journalists on Friday afternoon at the Aliabad intersection in Nabinagar municipality.
The incident unfolded around 12:30 pm on Friday, 23 October, as a microbus transporting national media correspondents from the district headquarters was en route to Dhorabhanga village to attend a professional assignment. Upon reaching the Aliabad roundabout, toll collectors associated with a local auto-rickshaw stand intercepted the journalists’ vehicle, demanding a payment of 40 taka in municipal tolls.
An argument ensued when the journalists questioned the legitimacy of demanding local auto-rickshaw lease tolls from a private transport vehicle passing through the area.
Upon being informed of the dispute, Biplob, who is directly linked to the management of the auto-rickshaw stand lease, arrived at the scene. The journalists alleged that Biplob behaved aggressively, attempted to enforce an unlawful fee, and physically threatened the media team. During the altercation, he reportedly boasted of his personal connection as the nephew of the local Member of Parliament, Advocate M. A. Mannan, to intimidate the professionals.
Seeking redress, the journalists alerted the local Member of Parliament alongside the Nabinagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Municipal Administrator, Rakibul Islam.
Biplob has firmly denied all accusations, labelling the claims baseless and fabricated. He contended that the district journalists acted aggressively towards him and threatened him with dire consequences. Maintaining that he possesses video recordings to substantiate his position, Biplob announced plans to hold a press conference at 11:00 am on Sunday, 25 October, to present evidence clearing his name. He further stated that he would formally submit his defence and supporting materials to the Jubo Dal central leadership within the stipulated timeframe.
Administrative authorities have responded firmly to the allegations. Nabinagar UNO and Municipal Administrator Rakibul Islam clarified municipal regulations, reiterating that toll collection is strictly limited to vehicles designated under the specific terms of the lease. He confirmed that non-lease commercial and private transport traversing the corridor must not be subjected to extortion attempts. Islam added that in light of the extortion allegations, he intends to consult with the Member of Parliament to finalize the immediate cancellation of the lease contract within forty-eight hours.
Efforts to reach Member of Parliament Advocate M. A. Mannan for comment were unsuccessful, as repeated calls to his mobile phone on Saturday afternoon went unanswered.
