Another extortion case against ex-BNP MP in Jhenidah

Shahidul Islam Master

Another extortion case was filed against former BNP lawmaker Shahidul Islam Master in Jhenidah.
Kartik Halder, general secretary of Solaimanpur Baor (water body) association, filed the case against the former lawmaker and 13 others with Jhenidah court.
Shahidul Islam Master was elected from Jhenidah- 3 constituency in 2001 parliamentary polls.
The other accused are Md. Shahidul Haq Master, Harun or Rashid, Nazrul Islam, Abdul Aziz, Fakir Dafader, Daud Hossain, Khondokar Momin, Abdul Hye, Fazlur Rahman, Dabir Hossain, Abdul Hye Sheikh, Bablur Rahman and Nur Nabi Mondol.
In the case Kartik Halder alleged that the Solaimanpur Baor was under his possession for long. After expiry of earlier lease, he again leased the baor from the ministry of land in 2000.
After winning the parliamentary polls in 2001, the then lawmaker demanded Tk 15 lakh from him to continue fish farming in the water body, Kartik Halder alleged.
At one stage, the lawmaker and his close aids threatened us if we fail to pay the demanded money, he claiemd.
Kartik also alleged that the former lawmaker and his men often threatened him for leasing the water body without his permission.
“Finding no alternative, I paid Tk 10 lakh to the former lawmaker in presence of witnesses”, he said in the complaint. But the lawmaker's men continued to press for more money.
“At one stage, I begged mercy but he deprived me of the baor”, Kartik said in the complaint said.
Kartik Halder also mentioned in the case that he did not file any complaint against them earlier fearing reprisal as they were ruling party men.
Shahidul Islam Master also faces five more extortion cases and two cases for alleged misappropriation of relief goods. The cases have been filed with Jhenidah court and Moheshpur police station.