Extortion and Attack Fears Disrupt Business and Public Life

Repeated incidents of extortion, terrorist attacks, vandalism and violence have brought business activities in the Khulna region to a standstill. Healthcare facilities, wholesale markets and retail shops are particularly gripped by fear. Allegations have emerged that business establishments, private hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, pharmacies and people from various professions are being targeted with extortion demands, death threats, intimidation with firearms, attacks and vandalism. Attacks, gunfire and vandalism targeting establishments that refuse to pay extortion money have sparked renewed fear among the business community. Several criminal groups and factions of notorious criminals have been terrorising different parts of Khulna city. Recently, attacks on clinics, diagnostic centres and commercial establishments across the city have increased at an alarming rate. Several healthcare facilities in the city have been attacked and vandalised in the past month alone.

According to sources, the law and order situation in Khulna, the principal commercial hub of the country’s southwestern region, has deteriorated severely. Repeated extortion demands, terrorist attacks, public displays of firearms and killings have created widespread panic across the city. Ordinary business owners and healthcare providers are struggling to cope with the reckless activities of extortionists, who are specifically targeting business establishments and private healthcare facilities. Many business owners have been forced to shut down their establishments due to concerns over their lives and property.

Many business owners are reluctant to speak publicly because of security concerns. Police say some are even afraid to file complaints or cases with police stations. There have also been reports of some establishments being shut down while their owners go into hiding. As a result, not only business owners but also their employees, patients seeking medical treatment and members of the general public are suffering.

Most recently, on the afternoon of November 7, a group of miscreants armed with Chinese axes openly attacked New Apollo Diagnostic and Consultation Centre in the busy PTI intersection area of the city. The attackers vandalised the establishment’s air conditioners, television sets, glass doors and reception counter. Earlier, on October 24, Shandhani Diagnostic Centre on Babukhan Road and in Sonadanga, and on October 28, a restaurant named Chinese Palace on Ahsan Ahmed Road, were attacked and vandalised. Rangdhanu Clinic and Diagnostic Centre on Shamsur Rahman Road was also attacked over extortion demands.

Small and medium-sized businesses are also falling victim to extortionists. The owner of the well-known Chayanika Pharmacy on Central Road in Tutpara was asked to pay Tk 20 lakh in extortion money. When the demand was refused, armed criminals openly threatened to abduct the pharmacy manager. Facing serious security risks, the owner and manager have shut down the pharmacy and gone into hiding. Nearby business owners said the fear of extortion now grips traders as soon as evening falls.

Meanwhile, doctors, nurses and healthcare workers have staged demonstrations, formed human chains and held protest rallies against attacks, vandalism and extortion targeting hospitals, diagnostic centres, pharmacies, doctors and healthcare workers in Khulna. They have given the police a seven-day ultimatum to stop these crimes. Warning of a tougher movement, including the suspension of medical services, they said they would take further action if the situation did not improve within the stipulated period. Recently, the programme was held in front of the BMA building near the Satrasta intersection under the banner of nationalist doctors, nurses, officers and employees.

Speakers at the rally said attacks, vandalism and extortion were taking place at various hospitals, healthcare facilities and diagnostic centres across Khulna city. As a result, doctors were facing constant harassment and intimidation. Not only doctors but also nurses and other officials and employees were living in fear. They warned that attacks and vandalism at different medical facilities could disrupt healthcare services.

According to intelligence and local sources, several listed criminal groups and at least 22 juvenile gangs and their factions are active in Khulna city. Controlling the drug trade, establishing dominance and collecting large sums of extortion money are their main objectives. There are also allegations that some criminal masterminds and notorious criminals are operating their networks from inside prisons. In the first 10 months of this year, the number of murders in Khulna city and district reached 73, a significant proportion of which were linked to criminal feuds and extortion.

Expressing deep concern over the situation, National Parliament Whip and BNP Central Executive Committee’s Student Affairs Secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul said, “The officials responsible for maintaining law and order must either resolve this problem or resign and leave. There is no alternative.”

He further said they were deeply concerned about the deterioration of the law and order situation. He also said the Prime Minister had already instructed the Home Minister to take tough measures.

“We do not distinguish between the ruling party and the opposition. We are members of the public and their representatives. We stand with the people. Under no circumstances will criminals be allowed to continue their reign of terror. If the administration fails to take strict action, we, as public representatives, will take to the streets,” he said.

Law enforcement agencies have said that police and joint forces are conducting regular drives to curb criminal activities. They are working to identify the attackers by examining CCTV footage, while legal proceedings, including the filing of cases and arrests, are underway in many instances. However, police claim that many business owners who fall victim to such crimes are too afraid to come forward with specific complaints or file cases.