Bagmara (Rajshahi) Correspondent:

There have been allegations of obstruction of fish farming in the Gawra Beel of Chaipara Mouza of Sreepur Union of Bagmara Upazila of Rajshahi and extortion of 2.7 million taka from the lessee.

In the neighboring Gopalpur village, some youths have demanded extortion of that money from the lessee of the beel, Rahidul Islam. In this regard, the victim Rahidul Islam made these allegations through a press conference at the Bagmara Press Club on Sunday (September 14) afternoon. Rahidul Islam is the president of Ward No. 6 Jubo Dal.

At that time, Rahidul Islam said that the Gawra Beel in Chaipara Mouza of Sreepur Union has been leased for two years. The lease is taken from the land owners of the beel at a rate of 40,000 taka per bigha. In addition, since the land is in the name of Chaipara High School, an agreement was made to pay a total of three lakh taka for the school part. He has started fish farming in the bill legally by following the rules.

But fish farming in that bill is being hindered by some unidentified youths led by Kafi, Liton, Johnny, Masud and others from Gopalpur village of Durgapur upazila, neighboring Chaipara village, the last part of Bagmara upazila. They are cutting the dam of the bill and forcibly killing fish. In addition, they are demanding a ransom of 27 lakh taka to cultivate fish in the bill. Rahidul Islam, the leaseholder of the bill, also claimed at the press conference that if the ransom is not paid, it will harm his beneficiary.

When contacted, Anwar Hossain Rocket said, the matter of demanding ransom is not correct. I have land in that bill. I have asked for the lease money for that land. In addition, the bill was forcibly occupied by Awami League people during the Awami League period.