Unbridled extortion is going on in various sectors including the transport sector, construction sector, small businesses, footpaths as victims are silently fulfilling the demands of the extortionists and if someone refuses to pay the money as demanded, they have to face various sufferings and even death threats.
From the capital to urban, money has to be paid to various student-youth organizations to build private houses. Demand for supply of bricks, sand and cement is raised only when the inability is expressed.
Government contractors are not at peace either. They have to charge 2 to 20 per cent commission for taking up and implementing the tenders. Apart from this, anonymous blackmailing has increased in recent years. Festival-based extortions have increased. From garment traders to street traders are getting fed up with the festival-centric extortions. If one doesn’t give the money as demanded, harassment starts.
Many people have been complaining to the RAB-Police in writing and verbally every day. Even people have been worried about occupation of their land also. In recent times, complaints of land grabbing are also increasing in various areas of the capital, including Dhaka.
Some such case studies are highlighted - Case-1: Garments businessman Helena Begum of Mirpur of the capital has been threatened by the top gang leader Killer Abbas for not paying money as per his demand.
She told Bangladesh Pratidin that her company AG Fashion Garments is about to close down. Members of Abbas's gang have taken extortions from her many times. But recently they are threatening to shut down the business if they don't pay a hefty sum.
Case-2: Ever since the Awami League came to power in 2009, Lalbagh Thana Chhatra League expelled leader Anwar Hossain Anu has been involved in extortion and land grabbing. Despite the fact that the Iraqi field adjacent to the cemetery in Azimpur is a private property, he is making money every month by setting up a market there. Apart from this, there is an allegation that if someone wants to build a building on the area, he has to start the construction work only after settling deal with Anu.
Case-3: On August 17, a gang traffic with bamboo poles on the truck parking road of an industrial plant in South Sonaichhari area of Sitakunda, Chittagong. Later, the owner of the land Nurul Alam Chowdhury , a senior member of Chittagong North District Awami League filed a complaint with police station.
According to the complaint, in June, a company called Ispahani Summit Alliance Limited had rented the land from Nurul Alam Chowdhury and was using it as a covered van parking place. A local gang demanded money from the land owner Nurul Alam Chowdhury.
Various incidents like the above three incidents are happening every day across the country. Transport, sidewalks, markets, small or floating traders - no one is spared from the violence of extortionists.
Victims said that their identity is the reason for their fear. Thinking about the safety of themselves or their family members, they may still remain silent as in the past.
Lt Col Mashiur Rahman Jewel, director of the Intelligence Wing of RAB told Bangladesh Pratidin that, “Give us specific information on extortion. Whoever he is, if the investigation finds the truth, RAB will definitely take action against him.”
“We see criminals as criminals. Every member of RAB is committed to give maximum to protect people's life and property,” he added.
Manjur Rahman, assistant inspector general (AIG) of the police headquarters told Bangladesh Pratidin that, “Police always have a zero tolerance policy on extortion. All units have been instructed by the police headquarters to take appropriate action subject to investigation after receiving specific complaints.”
“Even after this, if any incident happens anywhere, our intelligence agencies will investigate it,” he added.
@The article published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on October 19, 2022 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan
