Demand for one lakh taka extortion from a mosque imam, attempt to attack with sticks and weapons

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Threats were also issued to them.

At one point, during prayers inside the mosque, they reportedly used abusive language and attempted to attack the imam and the general secretary with sticks and weapons.

According to sources, after the incident of a Youth League leader allegedly demanding extortion money from the imam went viral on social media, a group led by District Volunteer League convener Nurul Momen Akand Kausar, along with Youth League leaders Harunur Rashid Kalu and Juel Rana, went to the mosque. They pressured Imam Alauddin and made him post on his Facebook account, stating that the incident was not true and that there had been a misunderstanding between them.

The imam, Alauddin, also said that they pressured him at the mosque, took his mobile phone from him, and made him post on his account and sign a written statement.

Regarding the incident, mosque committee general secretary Tareq Chowdhury said that they hurled abusive language and charged at them with bamboo sticks to beat them, but the worshippers present stopped them. He added that he quietly left the mosque and expressed frustration, saying, “To whom can I seek justice?”

Accused ward Jubo Dal organizational secretary Juel Rana said, “We went to the mosque. We spoke with the imam. There was a misunderstanding between us.”

District Jubo Dal member Harunur Rashid Kalu could not be reached for comment.

District Jubo Dal member secretary Sohel Rana Khan said that if such an incident has indeed taken place, organizational action will be taken against those involved.

After the extortion allegation against the imam went viral on Facebook, residents of Jamalpur city expressed anger and demanded exemplary punishment.