Road construction work in Jhenaigacha village under Ulashi Union of Sharsha Upazila in Jashore has reportedly been halted after bricks were removed from the site, allegedly by a man named Arman Hossain Dablu. The contractor and local residents claim the disruption followed Dablu’s demand for extortion money.
Nasir Uddin, manager of the contracting firm Sarun Sapa Traders, said work had begun on laying bricks for a 0.75-kilometre road stretching from the main road of Jhenaigacha village to the house of Asir Uddin. He alleged that Dablu initially obstructed the work and later demanded a large sum of money.
According to Nasir, about a week before the incident, Dablu made a public announcement using a microphone, instructing that the road should not be constructed. Dablu allegedly claimed the road would mainly benefit the homes of Awami League supporters.
Nasir further alleged that on 15 January, Dablu, accompanied by his younger brother and several others, demanded extortion money. When the contractor refused to comply, Dablu allegedly led a group that removed bricks from the construction site, forcing work to stop.
Local residents claim that Dablu, his younger brother Nawab, Selim of neighbouring Matipukuria village, and 20–25 other youths have formed a group that instils fear in Jhenaigacha and surrounding villages and is involved in extortion. According to locals, villagers are forced to pay money if they fail to invite the group to social or religious events.
Mominur Rahman, son of Sattar Molla and a resident of the area, described Dablu as a “terror-like” figure. He claimed that since 5 August 2024, Dablu has extorted approximately Tk 1.5 crore from the locality. He also alleged that Dablu has multiple criminal cases against him and that although police previously arrested and jailed him, Dablu resumed his activities after being released on bail.
Mominur Rahman further alleged that villagers had arranged a prayer ceremony in honour of Begum Khaleda Zia on 12 January. Despite completing preparations, including hiring decorators and catering services, Dablu and his associates allegedly disrupted the event on the night of 11 January when the decorator’s materials arrived. He claimed that two rounds of blank gunfire were fired at the Jhenaigacha market area, causing panic among residents.
Abdul Hamid, president of the Ulashi Union unit of BNP, said Dablu is a dangerous criminal who returned from abroad after 5 August 2024 and has been terrorising the area since. He alleged that Dablu obstructed the road construction and had earlier prevented the organisation of the prayer programme for Begum Khaleda Zia.
Attempts to contact the accused, Arman Hossain Dablu, were unsuccessful.
Sharsha Police Station Officer-in-Charge Maruf Hossain said no formal complaint has yet been filed with the police. “If a complaint is submitted, legal action will be taken,” he said.