Bangla FM Desk:
A video of Nahid Hasan Khandaker, spokesperson for the Rangpur Metropolitan Branch of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, demanding extortion money from a person has gone viral on social media.
There he can be heard saying, 'You see where this matter has gone, UNO-DC is having to deal with it. If you feel like cutting back on something, then talk to your brother. I don't want you to have any problems. You know what you have to do to run an organization.'
In the video, a sand trader is seen demanding a ransom of 1 lakh taka. Many have expressed anger over this. However, Nahid says that there was a planned attempt to frame him. The organization has given him a show cause notice in this incident.
In the video conversation, Nahid says, "You see where the matter has gone. You talk, if you feel like it, do a little ya, you know what to do when you want to start an organization. That's the point."
"I don't want you to have any problems. If you think there is a problem, then you talk to the brother (park authorities). I can't do anything by forcing it on you."
At that time, the man said to Nahid, "If you say there is a sand business going on there, then I will stop it. I can't pay one lakh taka, I will pay five thousand taka."
Then Nahid said, 'Why should you close the business, you run the business. Talk to your brother. Take time if necessary. You see where the matter has gone, UNO-DC has to handle it.'
"If you feel like cutting back on something, talk to your brother. I don't want you to have any problems. You know what you have to do to run an organization."
According to several leaders of the Rangpur-based student movement against discrimination and several local sources, the incident in the video conversation took place a week ago. The incident took place over illegal sand mining in the name of an eco-park in the Hazirhat area of Rangpur city.
Admitting the conversation, Ecopark Director Belal Hossain said, "Nahid was asking for one lakh taka from him. He threatened the District Commissioner and his family. They made the video and later sent it to the Superintendent of Police. However, Belal claimed that they did not spread the video on Facebook.
Denying this allegation, Nahid Hasan Khandaker said, "I went there six to seven days ago after receiving news of illegal sand mining. But I did not take a single taka from anyone. They cannot provide any proof."
"This is all orchestrated by a section of the Jubo League. It's all trying to frame me and question the anti-discrimination student movement."
Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has issued a show-cause notice to Nahid, stating that it does not condone any illegal activities. The letter, signed by Ali Milon, the chief organizer of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Rangpur Metropolitan, states that it has been asked to find out why organizational action will not be taken against him within three days due to his involvement in the incident.
Imtiaz Ahmed, convener of the Rangpur Metropolitan Committee of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, told reporters, "Our team is investigating the video that is available on social media. Initially, it is believed that someone, including him, has committed such an incident to question this platform. However, if evidence of the allegations is found, organizational action will be taken against him."
In this regard, Rangpur Superintendent of Police Abu Saim said, a man living in Canada came to him with a complaint of extortion in the construction of an eco-park. When asked to file a complaint, he did not do so. If he receives a complaint, he will take action in this regard.
