Street vendors block Sylhet's Zindabazar road over alleged extortion, Jubo Dal leader expelled

Street vendors blocked a road in Sylhet's Zindabazar area last night (28 February), alleging that a Jubo Dal leader in Sylhet abducted a street vendor for refusing to pay extortion money.

Following the incident, Jubo Dal expelled the accused leader, Joydeep Chowdhury Madhab, last night who was serving as the assistant organisational secretary of Sylhet Metropolitan Jubo Dal.

More than a hundred street vendors blocked the Zindabazar road from 9pm on Friday, alleging that the Jubo Dal leader had abducted two vendors for not paying extortion money. 

Although police arrived at the scene, the situation remained unresolved, and the enraged vendors reportedly chased the officers away, forcing them to leave the area.

The road blockade caused severe traffic congestion in Zindabazar, Bandarbazar, and the surrounding areas, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded and causing extreme suffering for commuters.

Confirming Madhab's expulsion, Sylhet Metropolitan Jubo Dal General Secretary Mirza Samrat Hossain said, "Jubo Dal will not tolerate any activities that violate party discipline."

Attempts to contact Joydeep Chowdhury Madhab via phone were unsuccessful.

However, in a Facebook post, Madhab claimed that certain individuals had been extorting money from vendors using his name. 

"For some time, I had received information that a few individuals were collecting extortion money from street vendors using my name. To verify this, I instructed my junior members to investigate the matter," he wrote. 

Madhab alleged that he was expelled without being given a chance to clarify his position. "Instead of hearing my statement, certain leaders pressured the party to label me as an extortionist and expel me," he added.

Meanwhile, Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Ziaul Haque said, "No party had filed a complaint regarding the incident. If a complaint is lodged, we will take the necessary steps."