Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, has alleged that extortion and illegal plot trading, rampant during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, continue unabated in Keraniganj.
Speaking at a roadside gathering at the Keraniganj Upazila Parishad’s Shaheed Minar on Tuesday, Sarjis voiced frustration over the persistence of these criminal practices.
“Sadly, the extortion and plot trading that plagued Keraniganj six or seven months ago under Sheikh Hasina’s oppressive rule remain ongoing,” he said.
He also criticised the mismanagement of local resources, highlighting the poor state of the River Buriganga’s canals. “On my way here, I saw canals resembling dustbins or sewers. Proper dredging could have transformed Keraniganj into a tourist destination. Instead, corrupt individuals laundered the allocated funds abroad. Some of these culprits are in jail, yet they continue issuing orders from behind bars,” he remarked.
Addressing the issue of land grabbing and its impact on local youth, Sarjis said: “Keraniganj’s youth are being accused of antisocial behaviour, but where can they go? Fields and open spaces, essential for their growth, have been seized by opportunists who now aim to tighten their grip on Keraniganj.”
Calling for decisive action, he urged residents to reclaim leadership and drew inspiration from the area’s role in the July uprising. “Those who led the uprising must now step forward as leaders. If you stand firm, even with only 100 people at first, the numbers will swell to thousands, and eventually hundreds of thousands,” Sarjis Alam declared.
He warned against succumbing to short-term gains, saying, “If we sell ourselves for a little money or temporary power, we risk returning to the bondage we’ve endured for 16 years.”
The event saw attendance from central coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, including Hasibul Islam and Rasel Ahmed, alongside local representatives such as Al-Amin, Minhaj Hossain, Javed Hossain, and Saimon Chowdhury.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
