Two leaders of the Barishal University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), ruling party BNP's student front, have been expelled from their organisational posts over allegations of involvement in extortion from fish transport vehicles.

The expelled leaders are vice-presidents of the university unit, Mia Babul and Md Mithu.

The information was confirmed in a press release signed by JCD central office secretary Jahangir Alam on Thursday afternoon.

According to the statement, the decision was taken by the central committee of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal based on specific allegations of violating organisational discipline.

The release said JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir approved the decision and instructed leaders and activists at all levels to refrain from maintaining any organisational relations with the expelled leaders.

Earlier on May 19, leaders and activists of the university unit allegedly stopped vehicles carrying fish fry on the Dhaka-Kuakata highway and extorted around Tk 1 lakh from the drivers.

They were also accused of vandalising another vehicle and assaulting its driver after failing to collect extortion money.

Besides the two expelled leaders, allegations were also brought against several others, including vice-president Akib, joint general secretary Md Ibrahim Hossain Swajan, Imran Mahmud, Shakhawat, assistant organisational secretary Haidar Munshi and Shahriar.

The expulsion order came a day after the JCD central committee summoned the president and general secretary of the Barishal University unit to Dhaka over the incident.