Dr Kamrul expresses gratitude to Prime Minister, Jubo Dal and Kaler Kantho

Renowned physician and kidney disease specialist Professor Dr Kamrul Islam expressed deep gratitude yesterday, Saturday, at a press conference to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the leaders of the Jubo Dal, and Kaler Kantho, following what he described as a positive response to incidents of extortion targeting his hospital involving former Jubo Dal leader Md Main Uddin Main and his associates.

After Kaler Kantho published a report on the alleged extortion attempt against the doctor, a delegation of central Jubo Dal leaders, including President Abdus Munaem Munna and General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayan, visited his hospital on Friday night.

Following the publication of the news, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reportedly directed the relevant authorities to take swift and strict action. In response, Professor Dr Kamrul Islam expressed his deep gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Jubo Dal, and Kaler Kantho during yesterday’s press conference.

The eminent doctor said that Jubo Dal leaders had assured him of strict action against Md Main Uddin Main and others involved in the extortion network. He also stated that law enforcement agencies were working to arrest the offenders at the earliest opportunity. The leaders visited the Centre for Kidney Diseases and Urology (CKDU), founded by Dr Kamrul Islam in Shyamoli, Dhaka, late on Friday night.

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At the time, Dr Kamrul Islam thanked the central Jubo Dal leaders and praised Kaler Kantho for its responsible journalism. Earlier, reports had emerged of threats made by an extortion syndicate led by former Jubo Dal leader Md Main Uddin Main at the CKDU hospital.

At the press conference, Dr Kamrul Islam said, “I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his administration. I am thankful to all for standing by us promptly in response to extortion activities carried out by an individual identifying himself as a Jubo Dal leader and other unfortunate incidents.”

He stated that since 5 August, Md Main Uddin had been exerting continuous pressure on the hospital for procurement-related matters, claiming affiliation with Jubo Dal. However, when the hospital refused to engage in irregularities in order to maintain transparency, the former leader allegedly became hostile and issued threats. Most recently, on Friday morning, he allegedly attempted to create a mob situation at the hospital.

Earlier, on 29 March, he allegedly threatened a staff member inside the hospital, after which a general diary (GD) was filed at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station on 30 March.

Dr Kamrul Islam further said, “Following the latest incident, Honourable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given instructions for swift and strict action. We express our deep gratitude to him. In addition, the central Jubo Dal president, general secretary and other leaders visited the hospital around 1am to inquire about the situation and took a stand in support of justice. We extend special thanks to them.”

He also expressed gratitude to the local administration and Kaler Kantho for their role in reporting the matter.

Professor Dr Kamrul Islam is widely known for his dedicated humanitarian service and is a recipient of the Independence Award. Having performed kidney transplants free of charge for nearly 19 years, his surgical success rate exceeds 95 percent. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to public service, he was awarded the Independence Award in 2022.

It is learned that in mid-last year, the hospital came under the attention of Md Main Uddin Main, former organising secretary of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Thana Jubo Dal. Under his leadership, a group allegedly applied pressure and intimidation on the hospital for nearly a year.

CCTV footage obtained by Kaler Kantho shows an individual repeatedly threatening staff inside the hospital while identifying himself as a Jubo Dal leader. The same person is identified as Main Uddin Main. Another member of the syndicate, Mainuddin, reportedly faces multiple cases, including murder and extortion.

Investigations suggest that the dispute began over hospital food supply contracts. Allegedly, the group became agitated after Main Uddin Main was not awarded a tender, leading to repeated demands for money, intimidation, and pressure under various pretexts.

Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam said that the allegations are under investigation and that appropriate action will be taken if the claims are proven true.