Prevent extortion in the guise of coordinators

In Bangladesh, extortion is rampant, affecting everything from bus stands and footpaths to large commercial establishments. No matter which government is in power, extortionists seem to thrive. Historically, these activities were often linked to political leaders; however, they are now carried out by individuals identifying as "coordinators."

Recent reports, particularly from Sylhet, highlight alarming accusations against some coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement. They are alleged to be involved in extortion, illegal seizure of sand quarry and stone resources, and even kidnapping for ransom. Victims who file complaints often find no resolution, as the abuse continues. Many of these extortionists target sand and stone traders, particularly in border regions, and street-level extortion remains a significant issue.

Following the July uprising, students and activists have been granted considerable power, leading to a notable decline in the effectiveness of law enforcement. Many police stations have yet to initiate proper operations, which has exacerbated the problem of extortion in various areas. If such practices persist under the guise of student leadership, it will tarnish the reputation of the entire student community.

The ongoing situation has led to a significant erosion of public trust in coordinators. If those engaging in extortion are not apprehended and held accountable, the blame will inevitably fall on all coordinators, regardless of their actual involvement. The general public may not take the time to discern who the real culprits are.

Asad Ullah Al Ghalib, the coordinator in Sylhet, has publicly stated that their organization does not have any committee operating in the upazila and has called for legal action against those misusing the organization’s name.

The alleged activities of these coordinators seem to originate from the border area of Goainghat. Ajmal Hossain, from Lengura village, has been accused of various wrongdoings while claiming to represent Goainghat Degree College and serving as the upazila coordinator. Recently, he reportedly harassed the upazila health officer. Under pressure from the UNO, 11 boats carrying sand were seized from the Goain River on September 23, only to be released later after a payment of Tk 1.5 lakh. Subas Das, the lessee of the Lengura Balumahal, asserts that he obtained the lease legally through government channels, yet a group of young men has been extorting money from sand-bearing boats while pretending to be coordinators.

This raises critical questions: What gives these individuals the power to exert pressure on the UNO? Who are they, really? Why did not the UNO feel the need to report to the local police station? Given the scale of these crimes, it is clear that they are part of a larger network. The absence of action against them is concerning, and identifying their names should not be an insurmountable challenge.

It has been reported that Tk 2 lakh extortion money was demanded from a sand trader under the guise of coordinators. On September 23, Ajmal Hossain, Ruhul Amin, Khasrul Amin, and others reportedly made further demands while attempting to overtake boats. The following day, the trader filed a complaint at the police station. In response, students at Goainghat Degree College protested against Ajmal and his associates, calling attention to the actions against the self-identified coordinator. Last Thursday, a public signature collection campaign was organized in the upazila to denounce Ajmal's behavior.

The need for a public signature campaign after filing a police complaint raises questions. The allegations of extortion alone should warrant swift action. Extortion is essentially a form of robbery, and it should not be tolerated under any circumstances. We urge the interim government to take a firmer stance on maintaining law and order.

With two coordinators in place, there is a heightened responsibility for those identifying as coordinators to avoid criminal activities. Any crime committed under the pretense of being a coordinator will reflect poorly on the entire community. Therefore, law enforcement must take immediate action against the accused to prevent the misuse of the coordinator identity and to uphold the integrity of the position.