Bangladesh Chhatra League’s central unit leader Juwel Molla has denied allegations of beating up a leader of Shahbagh Flower Traders’ Association over extortion money.
“A leader of my organization, who was involved with anti-liberation forces earlier, has started a conspiracy against me. He provoked the flower vendors to bring this false allegation against me,” Juwel, Chhatra League’s central theatre and debate affairs secretary unit, said without mentioning any name while speaking at a press briefing in Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA) office on Thursday afternoon.
According to local flower vendors and eye-witnesses in Shahbagh flower market, Juwel assaulted Shamim Ahmed, general secretary of Shahbagh Flower Traders’ Association, on Wednesday afternoon at the organization's office.
Victim Shamim claimed that Juwel demanded extortion money as "Eid tips" from him before the Eid-ul-Azha.
“Juwel, along with his four to five followers, came to my office on Wednesday afternoon and beat me as I refused to pay him the extortion money. He also accused me as a supporter of BNP-Jamaat and threatened me with dire consequences,” Shamim Ahmed said.
However at the press briefing, Juwel claimed that he did no beat up Shamim or extort him, and said: "When I came to know that Shamim has association with BNP and Jamaat men, I went there to question him in this regard."
“I was just cooperating with my organization, so that BNP-Jamaat activists cannot destabilize the situation,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chhatra League central committee president Rezwanul Haque Chowdhury Shovon, could not be reached over the phone for his comments on the matter despite several attempts.
Golam Rabbani, general secretary of the organization, told Dhaka Tribune: “I am busy at a program. I will talk to you later.”
