Jasim Uddin Shanto’s Human Trafficking Network in Comilla: Unveiling A Dark Underbelly of Bangladesh

Key Points:

1. Human Trafficking: Jasim Uddin Shanto allegedly traffics women and girls from Bangladesh to India for sex work.
2. Political Connections: He allegedly uses local MLA Abul Kalam Azad’s influence to protect his operations.
3. Illegal Hotels: Shanto allegedly operates several hotels as fronts for his trafficking activities.
4. Journalist Threats: Journalists investigating the network face threats and intimidation.
5. Community Demand: Locals are calling for action against Shanto’s network to protect the youth and community.

Comilla, Bangladesh, July 29, 2024: In the quiet village of Fatehabad, Debidwar, Comilla, a grim underworld thrives under the guise of normalcy. Jasim Uddin Shanto, a notorious figure, has allegedly built a lucrative business trafficking women and girls from Bangladesh to India. Using various inducements, he lures females of all ages, exploiting them for sex work across borders. Despite the alarming scale of his operations, local authorities remain conspicuously silent, raising questions about their role in this illegal trade.

Human Trafficking Operations: Shanto’s network is alarmingly well-organized. From his base in Comilla, he operates five to seven residential hotels, ostensibly for lodging but primarily used as hubs for sex trafficking. These establishments, spread across Comilla and Brahmanbaria, serve as waypoints for the victims before they are smuggled into India. The infamous Taj Mahal Hotel in Brahmanbaria’s Kosba Upazila, despite being sealed for illegal activities, continues to function under Shanto’s control, where young women are handed over to clients with impunity.

Political and Police Complicity: Shanto’s boldness in operating these illegal ventures is allegedly bolstered by his connections to powerful individuals. He reportedly uses the name and images of local MLA Abul Kalam Azad to protect his activities, suggesting a disturbing level of political complicity. Local police appear to be turning a blind eye, raising suspicions of corruption or fear of Shanto’s influence. This inaction has left the public questioning where his power and protection come from.

Threats to Journalists: Efforts to expose Shanto’s operations have met with intimidation. Journalists attempting to document the illicit activities at the hotels have faced threats to their lives from hotel managers and associates, demonstrating the dangerous environment surrounding this criminal enterprise.

Public Outcry and Demand for Action: The general populace, particularly in the Choumuhani Stand area, is increasingly vocal about the need for intervention. They urge law enforcement and political leaders to crack down on Shanto’s operations, which not only perpetuate human trafficking but also contribute to the degradation of local youth through drugs and prostitution. The community demands immediate and decisive action to dismantle these networks and hold all involved accountable.