Two leaders of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Swechhasebak Dal have been accused of attempting to seize control of the jhoot (textile waste) business at a garment factory owned by Tanzila Textile Limited in Ashulia, Savar, Dhaka.
The accused leaders are Md Rubel Sheikh, joint general secretary of Shimulia Union BNP, and Shamim, a member of Dhaka District Swechhasebak Dal.
According to reports, since August 5, these leaders, along with their associates, have been conducting demonstrations in the Bariapara area of the upazila, attempting to take control of the jhoot business.
Additionally, they allegedly warned the factory management six-seven days ago not to supply jhoot to anyone else.
Factory sources reveal that the management had already made an agreement with a businessman for the current fiscal year.
However, the two leaders have been trying to take control of the jhoot business, even staging showdowns in front of the factory.
The matter came to light when a member secretary of the Dhaka District Swechhasebak Dal, Asaduzzaman Mohon, was informed by a contact within the factory.
Further investigation reveals that Rubel and Shamim's group has been trying to seize businesses in various factories in the region since the government's fall on August 5 due to a student movement.
As part of this, they attempted to seize control of Tanzila Textile as well.
Upon learning of the situation, Asaduzzaman Mohon visited the factory.
However, when rumors spread that he was trying to take over the factory, Rubel and Shamim's followers staged a showdown.
Later, Mohon announced that party action would be taken against them.
A businessman involved in the agreement, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Dhaka Tribune: "There have been some issues regarding the jhoot business at the factory. Rubel and Shamim have been trying to take over the business for several days.
“However, I have never heard of anyone named Asaduzzaman Mohon attempting to seize control of the business. If he had, I would have known," he added.
When contacted, Rubel did not answer multiple calls, and Shamim's phone has been switched off since Wednesday.
Asaduzzaman Mohon said: "I went to the factory for a courtesy visit with an official. I was also trying to understand the issues in some of the factories in the area.
“There is no question of trying to take over the jhoot business. No such incident occurred. After I left, false information started spreading against me," he added.
Abdullah Al Mamun, admin manager of Tanzila Textile Limited, told the Dhaka Tribune: "He (Mohon) visited our factory and left after talking with our manager."
