Allegations have surfaced in Mongla that police released an arrested youth accused of extortion, along with fishing boats carrying illegally caught crabs from the Sundarbans, reportedly in exchange for money and under political influence. The incident occurred early Tuesday.
According to local residents, around 1:00 a.m. on Monday, at least 10 boats loaded with crabs entered a canal near Bashtola Bazar in Sundarban Union. Three local youths allegedly demanded money from the fishermen. After the fishermen paid a sum, the youths demanded more. An altercation followed, and the fishermen detained one youth, identified as Milon Mallik, beating him and calling out “robber” to draw attention. The other two suspects fled.
Police from Choterhat outpost and Mongla Police Station arrived at the scene after being informed. They took custody of the detained youth and seized the boats carrying crabs, reportedly worth several lakh taka. However, locals allege that both the suspect and the boats were released later in exchange for bribes.
Sub-Inspector Md Rafiqul Islam, in charge of Choterhat outpost, denied taking bribes and claimed the release of the youth was due to the intervention of a senior BNP and Jamaat leader, while the fishermen and their boats were freed on humanitarian grounds.
Mongla Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Anisur Rahman said he was unaware of the matter but would investigate the allegations.
