Barguna, July 27 (V7N) — A video allegedly showing a member of the naval police accepting money from an undercover journalist posing as a fisherman has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism and demands for an investigation in Patharghata upazila of Barguna.
The allegation involves an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of the Char Duani Naval Police Camp, who has been accused of collecting regular payments from fishermen and fishing vessel operators in the area.
According to reports, there had been long-standing allegations that members of the naval police camp collected monthly payments from fishing boats, steel-body trawlers, small vessels and fishermen operating through the Barani Canal under Char Duani Union.
To verify the allegations, investigative journalist Tawhidul Islam Shuvo conducted a covert investigation while posing as a fisherman.
During the investigation, the journalist allegedly contacted ASI Md. Kabir of the naval police camp while introducing himself as a fisherman. According to the report, money was initially demanded from him over the phone. After he sent a partial payment through mobile financial service, he was reportedly told that the amount was insufficient and was asked to bring additional money in person.
The following day, the journalist visited the Char Duani Naval Police Camp disguised as a fisherman. The ASI allegedly called him into an office room, received cash from him and counted the money by hand. The entire incident was recorded using a hidden camera, and the footage later spread widely on social media.
During the recorded conversation, discussions reportedly took place regarding the distribution of the collected money. The ASI allegedly claimed that a portion of the collected funds had to be given to higher authorities.
Journalist Tawhidul Islam Shuvo said the investigation was launched after fishermen repeatedly complained about alleged harassment and demands for money by naval police personnel.
"Fishermen had been complaining for a long time that they were regularly asked to pay money. To verify those allegations, I went undercover as a fisherman. The ASI directly demanded money and, after receiving payment through mobile banking, asked me to bring the remaining amount to the camp. He also allegedly warned that boats would not be allowed to operate without payment," Shuvo said.
Following the incident, another allegation emerged that when a reporter attempted to show the hidden-camera footage to a member of the naval police camp, the officer allegedly tried to take away the reporter's mobile phone and delete the video.
Responding to the allegations, Char Duani Naval Police Camp in-charge Gaznabi Mia said he was unaware of any such collection of money.
"I do not know anything about any such collection of payments," he said.
ASI Md. Kabir, contacted by phone, said he was currently on leave and was unaware of the allegations.
Barguna Trawler Owners Association President Golam Mostafa Chowdhury said allegations of monthly collections from fishermen were not new and called for an impartial investigation and action against those found responsible.
Patharghata Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Hasibul Haque said complaints of harassment of fishermen had come to their attention and that the matter would be investigated and raised at the upazila law and order committee meeting.
Barishal Naval Police Superintendent S.M. Nazmul Haque said the matter was being investigated seriously.
"If any police personnel are found involved in extortion or misconduct after the investigation, departmental and legal action will be taken against those responsible," he said.
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