Two Jubo Dal leaders have been expelled from the organisation following allegations of attacking, vandalising and issuing death threats at a cable operator’s office in Rangpur city.
The Jubo Dal central committee announced the expulsion in a press release late Sunday night.
The expelled leaders are Rangpur district Jubo Dal Joint General Secretary Akibur Rahman Monu and Assistant General Secretary Tamjidur Rashid Galib.
In the release, signed by Joint Office Secretary Minhajul Islam Bhuiyan, the organisation said the two leaders were relieved of their party posts and primary memberships. Law enforcement agencies have been urged to take legal action against them.
According to police sources, cable operator officials, witnesses and CCTV footage that later went viral, the incident occurred after Cable One disconnected a dish line feeder in the Kamal Kachna area of Rangpur city. The feeder line had reportedly been operated by a local youth.
Cable One authorities had allegedly been pressured for several days to hand over the feeder line to Jubo Dal leader Galib. When they refused, a group of youths led by Monu and Galib allegedly stormed the Cable One office opposite the Rangpur Press Club around 2pm on Sunday and vandalised the premises.
Later that night, Monu allegedly went to the residence of Cable One General Manager Kafi and threatened to shoot him and his family if the feeder was not transferred to Galib. During the attack, an official was reportedly assaulted and office equipment, including a laptop, was damaged. Following the incident, officials and employees left the office fearing for their safety.
In protest, Cable One authorities called an indefinite strike, putting forward three demands: a proper investigation, immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved, and ensuring the safety of the organisation’s staff and their families.
As a result, dish-based television broadcasting was suspended across Rangpur district, including the metropolitan area, halting private TV transmissions. However, broadcasting resumed from Monday morning after the two Jubo Dal leaders were expelled.
The CCTV footage, widely circulated on social media, shows several youths entering the office, taking the manager’s mobile phone and allegedly threatening the company’s GM to transfer the feeder line by night. They were also seen using abusive language.
An official of Cable One, requesting anonymity, said: “We have no security. It is not possible to perform our duties like this.”
Attempts to contact Monu were unsuccessful, and district Jubo Dal leaders did not respond to calls.
Rangpur Metropolitan BNP Convener Shamsuzzaman Shamu said steps were being taken to resolve the matter.
Rangpur Metropolitan Kotwali police station Officer-in-Charge Shahjahan Ali said police waited until 3am to receive a written complaint.
“Even without a formal complaint, we are reviewing the CCTV footage and taking necessary action,” he added.