Residents of Chandradwip union in riverine Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali staged a human chain and press briefing on Tuesday, alleging prolonged extortion and harassment by a local BNP leader and his associates.

The protest programme was held at Chandradwip ferry ghat area, where over 500 men and women joined the demonstration demanding protection from alleged torture and improvement of law and order in the area. Participants spoke about various forms of harassment and intimidation they claim to have faced.

Speakers alleged that local BNP leader Md Ruhul Rarhi, who is a joint convener of the union BNP and former president of the union Jubo Dal, along with his group, has been forcing locals to sell their land to watermelon cultivators and collecting large sums of money. They also claimed that farmers are compelled to pay tolls per plot of land and face assault and false cases if they protest.

Locals further alleged that illegal sand extraction led by the same group is increasing erosion risks for thousands of residents in the union.

A former head teacher of Charwadel Government Primary School, Md Ahsan Habib, said most residents live below the poverty line and rely on farming and fishing, yet they are allegedly forced to pay extortion regularly. He also stressed the need for establishing a police outpost in the riverine area.

Denying the allegations, Ruhul Rarhi said the claims are propaganda by political opponents and supporters of the Awami League.

Officer-in-Charge of Bauphal Police Station Mohammad Siddikur Rahman said legal action would be taken if a written complaint is filed after investigation.