BNP leaders and activists have been accused of taking control of Shimulia Ferry Terminal, Fish Terminal, and Trawler Terminal in Louhajong Upazila of Munshiganj. Allegations have been made that they have forcefully evicted the lawful leaseholders’ personnel from the terminal and are collecting money themselves.
It has been reported that this is being done under the leadership of Kausar Talukdar, president of Kumarkhali Union BNP. According to the leaseholders, before the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, Shimulia Ferry Terminal was used for passenger transport, but after the bridge opened, passenger transport via the terminal was halted. However, thousands of tourists still visit the area daily. In the current fiscal year, Sultan Molla, General Secretary of the Louhajong Upazila Krishak League, leased the terminal from BIWTA for about 14.2 million BDT. Additionally, he separately leased two trawler terminals for 800,000 BDT and a fish terminal for 1 million BDT.
Allegations of Taking Control and Extortion at the Terminal
According to leaseholders and local sources, after the fall of the Awami League government, many of the party’s leaders and activists went into hiding. Taking advantage of this situation, Kausar Talukdar, president of Kumarkhali Union BNP, along with leaders and activists of BNP, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Swechhasebak Dal, took control of the terminal businesses. They blocked the lawful leaseholders from collecting money and began collecting it themselves. Leaseholder Sultan Molla stated, “The fish terminal, trawler terminal, and Shimulia terminal are all under the control of Kausar Talukdar and his people. We have invested millions of BDT, yet they are trying to take over 30% of our earnings without any investment.”
Sultan Molla further explained that they reached a settlement with BNP leader Kausar Talukdar, agreeing to give him 6% of the total earnings. However, Kausar Talukdar stipulated that his men would collect the money at the terminal and he would personally give the leaseholder their share.
Denial from BNP Leaders and Activists
However, BNP leader Kausar Talukdar denied these allegations, stating over the phone to Prothom Alo, “Some youths were bothering the leaseholders at the terminal. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) asked us to monitor the terminal to ensure the government lease is not violated. The claim that we are collecting money and sharing it is false.”
Statement from the Upazila Executive Officer
Louhajong Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Zakir Hossain said, “There has been no such discussion with Mr. Kausar and his people, as they claim. A few days after the fall of the government, Kausar’s men came to me about the terminal issue. I asked them to speak with the police and BIWTA.”
Details of the Extortion
At the entrance of the Shimulia terminal parking area, it was observed that Kausar Talukdar’s men were collecting extortion money daily, amounting to more than 100,000 BDT. Around 30,000 BDT is collected daily from the parking area, 2,000 BDT from restaurants, and 250 BDT from small shops.
Opinions of Local BNP Leaders
Some local BNP leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that while the party is trying to stay above all controversy and wants to support the student and people’s movement to build a fair state system, leaders like Kausar and Anwar are trying to create chaos again. They are using their power to take over businesses leased by Awami League leaders and collect money.
Kamaruzzaman Ratan, the member-secretary of the Munshiganj District BNP convening committee and the central committee’s social welfare secretary, said, “Students have shed blood to build an egalitarian country. We also want such a country. Legal and organizational actions will be taken against anyone using the party’s name to commit wrongdoing, not just in Kumarkhali but anywhere in Munshiganj.”
This situation has made it clear that some leaders and activists are trying to further their own interests under the guise of party politics, which could damage the party’s reputation. Party leaders are urged to be vigilant about this issue and take necessary actions.
