More than 1,000 people formed a human chain in Belkuchi upazila on Friday demanding an end to alleged extortion, abductions and terrorist activities on the Jamuna River.
Boat owners and workers, along with residents of 27 villages in Belkuchi, Tangail Sadar and Chauhali upazilas, took part in the programme in the Khidra Champia area of Belkuchi.
The participants accused a group known locally as the “Salam Bahini” of creating fear in the area and carrying out extortion and other criminal activities on the river.
Speakers alleged that Salam and his associates Rubel, Kawsar Alam, Masud and Habib have been conducting armed patrols on motorised boats on the Jamuna after dusk.
They also alleged that the group has been collecting extortion money from bulkheads, boats and other vessels operating on the Sirajganj-Dhaka river route.
Boat workers and employees are allegedly beaten if they refuse to pay the demanded money, the speakers said.
“We are holding this human chain to seek protection from the harassment of the Salam Bahini,” they said, urging the authorities to take immediate steps to ensure safe navigation on the Jamuna.
The programme was chaired by Abu Sayed. Yusuf Molla, Kasher Uddin, Sumon and Bakkar Molla, among others, spoke on behalf of boat owners and workers.
The participants urged the government to take effective measures to ensure security on the river route.