Srimangal (Moulvibazar) Correspondent //

A local journalist couple has alleged that a false extortion case has been filed for protesting against the smuggling of liquor, marijuana and yaba in Sindurkhan Union, bordering Srimangal.

In a written statement after organizing a press conference at the Srimangal Press Club in Dupur on Tuesday (March 10), journalist Sheikh Jasim said that under the patronage of a French expatriate from Majergaon village of Sindurkhan Union in Srimangal Upazila, his associates have been running the Indian illegal drug trade for a long time. Local journalist Sheikh Jasim spread the news after such allegations were raised in the area. Enraged by this, Hafizur Rahman, his brother, identified as Ibaba businessman Zafar, Rajan and their associates tried to molest journalist Sheikh Jasim’s wife Nurjahan Begum on August 27 by blocking her way home from the bullock cart school, Sheikh Jasim alleged.

He said that even before this incident, drug dealers led by Hafizur Rahman attacked him. Locals came and rescued him and took him to a safe place.

Journalist Jasim also said that when he sought justice from the local chairman, members and elders of two villages for the terrorist attack on his wife, they summoned both parties for trial. But the opponents did not appear for that trial.

My wife filed a written complaint against the humiliation and molestation on September 1, accusing Hafizur Rahman, his brother Zafar and the notorious Ibaba businessman Rajan. No. 485.

It is known that on September 2, after the journalist’s wife was arrested by the Srimangal police station, Hafizur Rahman filed a case against journalist Jasim in the Moulvibazar court on September 1, alleging false extortion. No. CR 373/24.

On the same day, another associate of Hafizur Rahman, the notorious yaba trader Rajan, filed another petition case against the journalist couple in the Moulvibazar Executive Magistrate Court. No. 320/P/2024.

Journalist Sheikh Jasim’s wife appeared at a press conference at the Srimangal Press Club and told reporters that as a local journalist, I have always been protesting and publishing news against various injustices, social degradation and irregularities. In my area, there is an attempt to molest my wife for protesting the drug trade of her brothers at the house of the French expatriate Hafizur Rahman, and an attempt is being made to humiliate me socially by filing one false and harassing case after another. In the meantime, most of the witnesses in Hafizur Rahman’s false case have testified in court on my behalf by giving affidavits. Maybe the truth will come out one day. The extortion charges against me will be proven false – but will I ever regain my lost respect and image in society? He also asks.

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