Humayun Kabir Miraj:
Evidence of extortion has been found against fraudster Asaduzzaman Asad, son of Nesar Uddin, former Ulama League president of Bagh Anchar Union in Sharsha, Jessore, in the name of providing identity cards to international human rights and legal aid organizations.
They have collected Tk 2,000 to 5,000 per person from about 200 people from three upazilas of Jessore by giving them identity cards and T-shirts with their logo. And to instill confidence in this organization, last Saturday, they organized an introduction and oath-taking ceremony with the top officials of the district police, BNP and Jamaat district and upazila leaders as guests, beating drums. However, no guests attended the ceremony.
And since this news was published in the daily Pratidin Kota, he has started running around. He is making deals in various circles to make himself a saint. He has also tried to manipulate journalists.
The general public has sought the intervention of the administration to quickly bring him under the law and stop the trade in his identity cards.
Kamal Hossain runs a computer shop called Dreamview in Bagh Anchra Bazar, Sharsha. He also got an ID card this year as an employee of an organization called International Human Rights and Legal Aid Organization. He had to get this card and a shirt with a logo. And for this he had to pay 5 thousand taka as expenses. And this money was taken by Asaduzzaman Asad, a controversial fraudster from Bagh Anchra area.
Imanur Rahman, a teacher from Goga area, said that in exchange for some money, Asad from Bagh Anchra got a card from a human rights organization.
When asked what this card would be useful for, he said that if he gets into trouble somewhere, he can take out the card. Sometimes, the two parties can reach a compromise through arbitration. Apart from that, the money owed can be collected. He said that 10-12 other people he knows in the name of this organization are using the card under different names.
In addition, the fraudster Asad took 1,500 taka from Moniruzzaman Moni, director of the Satkhira Line Bus Counter in Bagachra Bazar, and 25 people, including Helal, from Ishapur village, each 2,000 taka.
Many young men of Sharsha Upazila have fallen for the sweet allure of the fraudster Asad and have taken cards in the name of this human rights organization in exchange for money. Through the tricks taught by Asad, they are showing this card and intimidating people and extorting money through various tricks. In different areas of Sharsha, Jhikargachha and Chaugachha Upazilas, they have sold human rights in this way. And extortion is going on in the name of the organization. Many criminals and drug dealers have been turned into human rights activists.
Concerned people say that there are 305 government-registered human rights organizations across the country. Most of them are doing fraudulent work by claiming to protect human rights. They have networks in different neighborhoods. They have branches in different areas. People from some fake organizations are misleading service seekers and extorting money by making false promises in the name of human rights. This fraudster, Asad Gang, is also involved in the same work.
Sharsha Upazila Social Service Officer Touhid Milon said, "Currently, it is difficult to get government registration for human rights organizations, and it is even more difficult to cancel the registration. When we receive a complaint, we investigate. If illegal activities are proven, a recommendation will be made to the higher authorities to cancel the registration."
When asked about the identity card trade of the fraudulent Asad, Mahmudul Hasan Mahmud Lion, chairman of the International Human Rights and Legal Aid Organization, he said, "I have no complaints about the identity card trade. However, we do not have any money to come to our organization. However, if any of our workers cheats by trading identity cards and taking more money, the organization will not take responsibility for it. If the allegation is proven, he will be expelled from the organization."
