SME association, NCP leaders calls for digital task force to tackle extortion

The National SME Association of Bangladesh and National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders has called for the formation of a digital task force involving police, RAB, and the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to investigate and curb growing extortion threats faced by small and medium enterprises.

At a press conference held Monday at the NCP office in Dhaka's Banglamotor, the leaders also demanded a special tribunal to try extortion-related killings, with trials completed within 90 days, and called for the death penalty or life imprisonment for offenders.

Additional demands included establishment of "SME Protection Cells" at every police station, enactment of the 2025 Anti-Extortion Ordinance, strengthening the Witness Protection Act and ensuring state protection for victim families, inclusion of SMEs under Bangladesh Bank's SME-SPD Circular No. 02, and provisions for confiscation of assets belonging to extortionists.

Other proposals included SME Protection Cells at every police station, a 2025 Anti-Extortion Ordinance, stronger witness protection, and the inclusion of SMEs under Bangladesh Bank's SME-SPD Circular No. 02.

"If the state fails to protect us, we will protect ourselves," said Ashikin Alam, Chief Coordinator of the SME Association and Joint Chief Coordinator of the NCP. He announced plans to form a national anti-extortion alliance involving trade bodies and civil society.

Citing a decade of violence, Alam claimed 137 SME entrepreneurs were killed resisting extortion, including eight in Dhaka this fiscal year. He said extortion raises production costs by up to 40% and undermines export competitiveness.

He also warned of growing "e-extortion," with threats sent via social media and payments extorted through mobile banking. Alam alleged that 70% of extortion gangs are linked to political leaders, citing police intelligence.

SME Association central member Solaiman Hakim was also present in the briefing.