MP Alleges Extortion in Waste Bills, Says He Was Attacked for Protesting, Mobile Phones Snatched

Extortion is allegedly taking place even in the garbage collection bills of the Dhaka North City Corporation. When he protested against this practice, beneficiaries of the system reportedly attacked him, according to Colonel (Retd.) Abdul Baten, Member of Parliament for the Dhaka-16 constituency. He also said that a young man accompanying him was injured in the incident.

On March 8, in the late afternoon, Abdul Baten made the allegation while going live from a mosque on his verified Facebook page. Later at 10:30 pm, the MP—elected from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami—held a virtual press conference at his office. He expressed hope that the party of Shaheed Zia and Begum Zia would not create any obstacles to democratic practices in the future.

At the press conference, Abdul Baten alleged that he had repeatedly attempted to contact the defeated parliamentary candidate of the ruling party, who currently holds the responsibility of a state minister, in order to maintain cordial working relations. However, he said he was unable to reach him despite sending text messages and inquiries through intermediaries. Instead, two mobile phones were reportedly snatched from his official cameraman. When he went outside while returning for iftar, eggs were thrown at him, as well as at the Officer-in-Charge of Rupnagar Police Station and the ADC of Pallabi Police Station.

MP Abdul Baten said, “I am the elected Member of Parliament for the Dhaka-16 constituency. Since the election, I have noticed that wherever I go, supporters of my rival party or the defeated candidate are creating obstacles in various ways. Even when I go to a mosque, I face obstruction. The same kind of barriers appear whenever I attend any program outside.”

Describing the incidents, he said that after the election, as part of his responsibilities, he first visited on February 21 an illegal market occupying the grounds of Israfil High School in T Block of Mirpur Section-6, where local criminals had reportedly taken illegal gas connections. There, under the leadership of expelled local Swechchhasebak Dal leader Harun, offensive slogans were chanted and stones and eggs were thrown at him and his companions.

He further stated that on February 23, a similar situation arose in Duari Para under the leadership of a local figure named Matha Shafik. Over the past week, when he attempted to address a water crisis in C Block of the Baunia area, he and his associates were obstructed. Although he was scheduled to visit the area again on the afternoon of March 8 to inspect the water problem, he refrained from going after hearing about planned disruptions. However, he said that 4–5 of his supporters gathered there were beaten, and two of them were admitted to hospital. According to him, the incident was led by Aslam Gazi, Motaleb, and Alim Riaz.

He added that to avoid disorder, he went to offer prayers at Mallika Mosque in Section-7. After the prayer, when he stood up to speak inside the mosque, he was prevented from doing so.

Earlier in another Facebook Live broadcast, the MP said he had been elected through the people’s vote and had continued his public outreach in various areas after the election—thanking residents and seeking their cooperation in fulfilling his duties. However, he said he had faced unreasonable obstruction in nearly every place he visited.

Describing the latest incident, he said that as part of his regular program, he had come to offer Asr prayers at Mallika Mosque located east of Chalantika intersection under Rupnagar Police Station. After exchanging greetings with worshippers following the prayer, he was prevented from speaking. A tense situation suddenly emerged inside the mosque. He said it appeared to him that those involved had arrived with prior planning and their intention was to prevent him from speaking.

He added that he was still inside the mosque at the time of the live broadcast. As tensions escalated, several of his companions were assaulted and many were injured. The camera carried by his cameraman was snatched, and multiple mobile phones were also taken away.

The MP said he could not understand how such behavior could be acceptable in a democratic society. “I am an elected Member of Parliament. It is my responsibility to go to the people. It is natural that I will meet them and listen to their problems and complaints,” he said.

He further alleged that a certain group had become angry because he had taken a firm stance against extortion. According to him, residents are charged between 100, 120, and even 150 taka in the name of waste removal, while those who actually transport the waste receive only 40 taka. The remaining money, he claimed, is enjoyed by some local leaders. Since taking action on these issues, he said, they have been behaving aggressively toward him.

Seeking remedy, he called for the administration’s attention and said that ensuring the security of an elected Member of Parliament is the responsibility of the authorities.

Highlighting the role of the police, Colonel (Retd.) Abdul Baten said that police officers were present with him during the incident, but their behavior was not satisfactory. Instead, he alleged, they attempted to restrain his companions, which gave the attackers more opportunity.

He said a young man standing beside him was beaten and seriously injured. His body was badly bruised, his shirt was torn, and his mobile phone was snatched.

Stating that such incidents are unacceptable in a democratic and civilized society, he added that his cameraman was also assaulted and had his camera, watch, and mobile phone taken away.

“I have the right to visit any mosque and speak with the worshippers,” he said, adding that he conducts similar outreach every day and has not faced problems elsewhere. “I do not understand why such a situation was created here.”

He also said that one person even told him, “Sir, please leave here, otherwise I will lose my job.” He questioned whose job was at stake, to whom they were accountable, and under whose instructions such incidents were taking place, and asked the administration to clarify these issues.

The MP also emphasized that those involved in the incident and those who instigated it should be identified through investigation. He said he would take legal action, and cases would be filed against those who snatched his camera and mobile phones and carried out the attack.

DBTech/FBP/MUM/OR