Rampant Extortion Rings Plague Barishal City, Leaving Residents Reeling
Extortion groups operating in different areas of Barishal city are continuing their alleged illegal activities, causing hardship for residents, traders and professionals. The activities are also damaging the image of the government and the ruling party, according to local accounts.
Last week, the City Market, the main wholesale vegetable market in the southern region, remained closed for three days following a clash between traders over extortion. The situation returned to normal after the city administrator intervened.
During the closure, vegetable supplies to much of Barishal and the southern region were disrupted, affecting retail markets and pushing up prices. The city administration has developed a decorative fountain and colourful electric lights around the lake beside the national highway at Nabagram Road-Choumohoni.
However, more than 100 makeshift shops have reportedly emerged around parts of the lake, damaging the area’s environment. Locals allege that small-time leaders used the name of a former ruling-party city leader to establish the illegal structures.
The current city administrator has taken steps to restore order and clean recreational areas, including Bell Park, and removed illegal structures. However, some shops have reportedly returned, including inside Bell Park. Residents also allege that some city security staff and extortion groups are involved.
Illegal shops have also spread along the Marine Drive road beside the Kirtankhola River near the Thirty Godowns area and the Boddhobhumi and Shatayu Angan. The report alleges that different groups claiming links to the ruling party have established influence across all 30 city wards. Despite the administrator’s efforts, the situation has created an image crisis for him.
The report also says that the absence of fully formed BNP committees in Barishal has left no clear leadership to respond to the allegations, while groups using the party’s name continue their activities.
