An assistant youth development officer on Friday sought security for himself and his family, alleging that a local BNP leader has driven him from his home and is holding his mother and younger brother captive over unpaid extortion money.
Taherul Islam, who is currently working as the Kaliganj Upazila assistant youth development officer and is the son of Abdul Latif of Charitabari village in Aditmari upazila, raised the allegations at a press conference at the Kaliganj Upazila Press Club on Friday noon.
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He said that in October 2024, he bought 25 decimals of land near his home from his maternal aunt. Neighbor Nur Alam, former joint secretary of Kamala Bari Union BNP, subsequently demanded Tk 2 lakh in extortion and repeatedly threatened him on his commute. Following a 24-hour death threat on June 26, Islam fled to a rented house in Kaliganj.
On July 23 evening, Alam allegedly blocked and beat Islam at Mirechak, breaking his leg, when he attempted to visit his parents.
The situation escalated on Aug. 26 when Alam and his associates raided Islam's family home. Failing to find him, they severely assaulted his elderly father. When Islam's sister called the national emergency helpline 999 and tried to take their bleeding father to a hospital in the presence of police, the attackers also beat her and her 6-month-old son. Additional police later rescued them, admitting them to Aditmari Upazila Health Complex.
Despite filing a written complaint, Islam said his mother and younger brother remain held captive in their home surrounded by Alam's men. He added that the administration has failed to act because Alam's brothers hold influential posts in the BNP, Awami League and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
Nazmus Sakib Sajib, Aditmari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC), said, "There are many officers at the station, and I do not know who went there."
"I do not believe he was driven from his home; he may be staying at his workplace due to his job. However, we will investigate and register a case if the complainant visits the station, he added."