AB Party's Fuaad Faces Protests in Barishal Over Extortion Claims

Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuaad, General Secretary of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, faced a protest by a group of locals and activists in Barishal during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Mirganj Bridge in the Barishal-3 constituency (Babuganj-Muladi).

The incident occurred around 2:00 pm on the bank of the Arial Kha river. Witnesses identified the protesters as a faction of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), who surrounded Fuaad and shouted "bhua, bhua" (fake, fake). Fuaad quickly left the area in his car as tensions rose.

Atiqur Rahman Al-Amin, Convener of the Babuganj unit of JCD, claimed the protest was led by ordinary residents and denied organizational involvement by JCD or BNP. He stated the protest was in response to Fuaad falsely accusing locals of extortion.

A person accompanying Fuaad, identified as Rabbi, alleged that the protesters were coordinated BNP and JCD activists, naming individuals like Rajon Sikder (Rahmatpur union BNP member secretary), Atiq Al-Amin (Babuganj JCD president), and Ferdous (Rahmatpur union JCD president).

Babuganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ehteshamul Islam confirmed the incident but noted there was no physical altercation and no complaint has been filed. Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju and Joint General Secretary Barrister Zobayer Ahmed Bhuiyan strongly condemned the incident as an "attempted attack and harassment" by "BNP-linked miscreants."

They alleged the group had previously demanded money from the bridge contractor and issued threats, attacking Fuaad when he spoke out against their extortion attempt. The AB Party demanded immediate arrests and urged authorities to ensure rule of law.