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Farmers in the char areas of Kamalnagar upazila in Lakshmipur are facing widespread harassment and financial losses due to alleged extortion by a syndicate at Meghna ghats while transporting their produce.
The allegation centres on a syndicate led by Ibrahim Sumon, general secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Charkalkini Union unit, which is accused of forcibly collecting tolls from cargo boats and trawlers at ghat in the Nasirganj area in the name of ghat leasing.
A number of locals reported that the group collects money based on the type of goods carried. Watermelons are charged Tk3 per piece, while paddy, soybean and chilli are charged Tk40 per sack. Cement is charged Tk15 per bag, and sand transport reportedly incurs a fee of Tk2,500 per bulk consignment.
The syndicate, allegedly involving 10–12 men, including local BNP leaders Abdul Majid, Adud Majhi, Ismail Hossain Sabuj and Faruk Bagha, is said to be collecting between Tk60,000 and Tk70,000 daily, amounting to Tk18–20 lakh per month, they said.
Farmers stated that they are compelled to pay fixed fees per boat, sack or item to unload goods at ghats. Failure to comply often results in boats being denied access or goods being held up.
Farmers take loans from NGOs to cultivate crops. After paying these illegal fees, they can’t even recover their investment, said several farmers, requesting anonymity. Some warned they may stop farming next season if the situation persists.
Despite repeated complaints to local authorities and party leaders, affected farmers claim no effective action has been taken.
A local administration official said the allegation has come to their notice and that steps will be taken after verification, including informing the local MP and initiating legal action if necessary.
After being informed, Upazila BNP President Nurul Huda Chowdhury said organisational action would be taken against those involved following an investigation.
Kamalnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Faridul Alam said legal action would be taken if victims file formal complaints regarding the extortion.