, Feb. 25 -- Residents of Chandradwip union in riverine Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali staged a human chain and press briefing on Tuesday, alleging prolonged extortion and harassment by a local BNP leader and his associates.

The protest programme was held at Chandradwip ferry ghat area, where over 500 men and women joined the demonstration demanding protection from alleged torture and improvement of law and order in the area. Participants spoke about various forms of harassment and intimidation they claim to have faced.

Speakers alleged that local BNP leader Md Ruhul Rarhi, who is a joint convener of the union BNP and former president of the union Jubo Dal, along with his group, has been forcing locals to sell their land to watermelon cu...