Abu Taleb, former secretary of Chapatala Baor (water body) Association and Kartik Halder, former secretary of Solaimanpur Baor Association lodged the two cases with a court here on Thursday.

The accused are former lawmaker Shahidul Islam Master, his brother-in-law Shahidul Islam Master, Dabir Hossain, Moznu Mollah, Khoda Box, Abu Taleb, Anwarul Islam, Hafizur Rahman, Izzat Ali, Nazrul Islam, Harun-or-Rashid, Shafiuddin, Zulfikar Ali, Ruhul Kuddus, Rafiqul Islam, Bazlur Rahman, Shahidul Islam, Amjad Ali, Abul Hossain, Habibur Rahman and Enamul Haque.

Abu Taleb alleged that the lawmaker along with his associates demanded Tk 5 lakh from him at the baor office sometime in 2002. He instantly paid them Tk 1 lakh 50 thousand from the office. On receipt of the money, they asked him not to catch fish of the water body until payment of the rest amount.

On failure to pay the rest amount, the lawmaker and his men looted fish worth about Tk 13 lakh 92 thousand from the water body, Abu Taleb said. But he could not file any case with the court fearing reprisal as the lawmaker was a BNP leader.

Meanwhile, Kartik Halder, former Secretary of Solaimur Baur Association alleged that the former lawmaker and his men looted fish worth Tk.8 lakh 58 thousand 140 from his leased water body because he failed to pay their extortion money, they demanded earlier. Kartik filed the case with Jhenidah court on Thursday.

The accused are Shahidul Islam Master, his brother-in-law master Shahidul Islam, Praddut Holder, Jafar Ali, Madon Holder, Kumar Holder, Bashu Holder, Rafikul Islam, Ismail Hossain, Babul Mia, Ashadul Islam, Nazrul Islam, Ali Akbar & Kamruzzaman Babu.

Earlier two extortion cases of Tk 5 lakh and Tk 20 lakh each were filed against the former lawmaker with Moheshpur Police Station in the current month.

At present he is absconding.