Sugar smuggling scandal leaves Awami League bitter as BCL, Jubo League names surface

Several BCL leaders have been arrested on charges of stealing or smuggling sugar

The alleged involvement of Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders in sugar smuggling from India through the borders of the northeast Sylhet region has left many leaders of the Awami League “embarrassed”.

The allegations led to the abolition of two BCL committees in Beanibazar, Sylhet, and the arrest of several local leaders of the ruling party’s student front.

In Kishoreganj, another BCL leader was arrested for alleged involvement in sugar smuggling, with at least two others named in the case.

The central committee of BCL has initiated an investigation into the matter.

Amidst the controversies surrounding Sylhet's Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders, locals said sugar is being smuggled through illicit routes by evading customs duties, with everything "managed."

Sugar is being smuggled into Sylhet city via road through the border Upazilas of Companiganj, Gowainghat, Jaintiapur, Kanaighat, Zakiganj, and Beanibazar.

Locals report that the volume of smuggled sugar is increasing daily.

According to data from Sylhet district administration, metropolitan, and detective police data, 136 people have so far been arrested in 61 sugar smuggling cases this year, and 84 vehicles have been seized with the consignments.

The Bangladesh Sugar Refiners Association has submitted a memorandum to the home ministry, demanding an end to sugar smuggling.

Sylhet District BCL President Md Nazmul Islam said, “The administration will take action against anyone involved in illicit activities, including sugar smuggling.”

“If any Chhatra League leader or activist is involved in any wrongdoing, organisational action will be taken. Chhatra League does not spare any criminals.”

When asked about the actions being taken against those involved, Sylhet Metropolitan Jubo League General Secretary Mushfiq Jagirdar said, “We are scrutinising the names of Metropolitan Jubo League leaders and activists mentioned.”

“If their involvement is proven, action will be taken according to the party constitution,” he added.

Sugar sells for Tk 132 to Tk 140 per kilogram in the open market in Bangladesh.

But traders can buy smuggled sugar at around Tk 90 per kg since no customs duties are paid, resulting in a loss of revenue for the government.

A significant portion of this smuggled sugar ends up in the wholesale market of Kalighat in Sylhet city.

From there, it is transported by trucks to various regions of the country.

The annual demand for sugar in Bangladesh is between 2 million to 2.2 million tonnes, almost all of which is imported.

At present, the total tax burden on importing unrefined sugar is Tk 40 to Tk 41 per kg.

INVOLVEMENT OF BCL

In August 2023, Prabal Chowdhury Pujon, a former member of the central BCL and assistant public prosecutor in Sylhet, accused Sylhet district and metropolitan BCL leaders of being involved in sugar smuggling in a Facebook post.

Shortly after, there was an armed attack on him on Aug 11.

Prabal filed a case naming the president and general secretary of the Sylhet district BCL, the general secretary of the city metropolitan branch, the presidents of the Sylhet Government College and Sylhet Engineering College branch, the general secretary of the Zakiganj Upazila branch, and 55 other BCL members.

He also named an additional 200 to 250 unidentified people, alleging their involvement in sugar smuggling.

Following the attack, the central BCL formed a four-member investigation committee.

Police’s Criminal Investigation Department is currently investigating the case. One of the accused was arrested but later released on bail.

“However, the members of the BCL investigation committee have not contacted me," Prabal said.

Recently, a leaked phone conversation between two BCL leaders about the theft of nearly 1.5 tonnes of sugar fuelled the controversy.

On Jun 14, BCL President Saddam Hussain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan dissolved the Beanibazar Upazila and Municipal committees.

Sugar owner Badrul Islam filed a case at Beanibazar Police Station, naming 11 suspects and several unidentified people in the case.

Police arrested four suspects, including Jahidul Haque Tahmid, former general secretary of BCL’s Beanibazar Upazila unit and former Vice President Ashraful Alam Shakil of the Municipal BCL.

Besides, 80 sacks of sugar were recovered, and a pickup truck was seized.

On Jun 6, Sylhet Metropolitan Police seized 14 trucks of smuggled sugar from the Umairgaon area on the Companiganj-Jalalabad road.

The names of Jubo League leaders emerged following the incident.

On the same day, five more trucks of sugar were seized in Shayestaganj.

Since then, Indian sugar has been frequently seized in Sylhet.

On Jun 13, city police arrested seven people, including leaders and activists from the Chhatra League and Chhatra Dal for hijacking smuggled sugar.

On the same day, nine BCL leaders and activists in the Kaliganj area of Zakiganj Upazila were accused of hijacking smuggled sugar.

The Border Guard Bangladesh seized 855 sacks of smuggled sugar, 11 pickup trucks, and a mini truck in Jaintiapur on Jun 15.

On Jun 23, the Upazila administration seized 254 sacks of Indian sugar in the Tamabil Sona Tila area of Purba Jaflong Union in Gowainghat Upazila.

Throughout the month, city police have repeatedly intercepted sugar being smuggled in stone-laden trucks.

On Jun 14, Kishoreganj Sadar Model Police seized a truck smuggling illegal Indian sugar and named five to six others as suspects in the case.

Among the accused are former District BCL Vice President Nazmul Hossain Hira, former Vice President Al Jubaid Khan Niaz, and Md Jony, who is known to be a close associate of Hira.

Recently, Hira was arrested in connection with a pornography case.

Later, police also showed him arrested in the sugar smuggling case.

‘SUGAR BUSINESS NOT BCL’S JOB’

On Jun 24, Awami League Presidium Member and Textiles and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Joint General Secretary Mahbub-Ul Alam Hanif visited Sylhet to assess the flood situation and distribute relief.

Later that night, a meeting was held at the Circuit House with local leaders of the Awami League, Jubo League, and BCL.

Several leaders present at the meeting reported that Sylhet Metropolitan AL President Mashuq Uddin Ahmed criticised the recent activities of BCL.

He said, “Chhatra League, we hear many things about you, but we lack the courage to speak up. We won't have any respect. We hear many things in Sylhet city. We cannot walk freely in the city.”

When questioned about his remarks, Mashuq told bdnews24.com, “We want people to speak well of our organisation’s activities. I have been involved in student politics since 1967, and at this age, it is painful to hear allegations about our party when I walk on the streets.

“They [BCL leaders] are young. If they make mistakes, they need to be corrected. However, not everyone has the courage to speak out nowadays,” he added.

Sylhet District Council Chairman and District AL General Secretary Advocate Md Nasir Uddin Khan called for legal action against those involved in sugar smuggling.

“We want anyone genuinely involved to be brought to justice; anyone who commits a crime is a criminal. It is not the job of any organisation to do sugar business,” said Nasir.

Zakir Hossain, general secretary of Sylhet Metropolitan AL, denied any involvement of party leaders in sugar smuggling.

He said any member found guilty would face party disciplinary action.

Naeem Ahmed, general secretary of Sylhet Metropolitan BCL, said, "I don't know why the Metropolitan Awami League president made those remarks about Chhatra League at the meeting. He has always supported us positively. He seems somewhat disappointed since the national elections."

Civil society leaders commented that the involvement of leaders from BCL and Jubo League in sugar smuggling is concerning.

Abdul Karim Chowdhury Kim, the coordinator of the Aggrieved Citizens Movement Sylhet, said: “The news of Chhatra League’s involvement in sugar smuggling did not surprise me. I was indeed surprised by the statement of the Sylhet Metropolitan Awami League president.”

“The party's responsible members usually do not admit the truth. Mashuq Uddin Ahmed has accepted the truth.”

“Even as the president of the Metropolitan Awami League, he is afraid to speak out against Chhatra League. Given this situation, it is understandable how difficult it is for ordinary citizens to voice their concerns."

Faruk Mahmud Choudhury, the president of Sylhet chapter of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik, or SHUJAN, called for party action against the smugglers.

“If all members of the ruling party can unite to prevent sugar smuggling, it will be a commendable act; people will praise it.

Md Shamim Ahmed, Sylhet district's Jubo League president and chairman of Osmaninagar Upazila Parishad, claimed none of his organisation is involved in sugar theft or smuggling.

Since a few names have come up, the district Jubo League has formed an investigation committee. “I am also personally looking into the matter. If there is proof of involvement, action will be taken,” Shamim said.

Sylhet Metropolitan Jubo League President Alam Khan Mukti said, “We have seen the name of Metropolitan Jubo League in the newspapers. Those involved will face legal consequences.”

“The administration is investigating; if proven, they'll be punished as per the law. We'll form a committee and take action according to the party's rules," he added.

When asked about the sugar smuggling issue, Sylhet Metropolitan Police spokesman Md Saiful Islam Said, “Once the goods cross the border and enter the city, the Metropolitan Police apprehend them.”

The ongoing operations will continue, and the Metropolitan Police's efforts against such activities will persist, he added.

District police spokesman Md Samrat Talukder said they conduct regular campaigns to stop sugar theft.

"We are also keeping an eye on the bordering areas of Sylhet. Any written complaints regarding police conduct are thoroughly investigated," he added.

Despite attempts, no statement on sugar smuggling was obtained from the BGB.

[Writing in English by Sheikh Fariha Bristy]