'Intolerable burden': Businesses sound alarm on extortion, crime spikes
At a discussion hosted by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) today (21 May), they expressed deep disappointment, stating that their hopes for an improvement in law and order since the government change last August have been dashed; instead, the situation has worsened, severely impacting both small and large businesses amidst a rise in extortion, theft, mugging, and the hijacking of goods
Business leaders have once again sounded a dire warning over the rapidly deteriorating law and order situation nationwide, declaring that pervasive extortion has become an "intolerable burden" on their daily operations.
At a discussion hosted by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) today (21 May), they expressed deep disappointment, stating that their hopes for an improvement in law and order since the government change last August have been dashed; instead, the situation has worsened, severely impacting both small and large businesses amidst a rise in extortion, theft, mugging, and the hijacking of goods.
Nesar Uddin Khan, senior vice president of the Bangladesh Pulse Traders Association, highlighted the growing menace of "teenage gangs creating havoc, disrupting public life and causing losses to businesses," specifically citing instances of "young students and boys extorting us." He urged for stern police action to quash this trend.
DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed painted a grim picture of the current business environment, describing it as "unsafe, marked by extortion, fraudulent online activities, transportation risks, forgery, and cyber threats." He emphasised that these challenges "not only discourage investment but also cause many entrepreneurs to lose confidence permanently." Taskeen stressed the urgent need for government intervention to improve the situation, enabling businesses to operate "smoothly, transparently, and securely." He also drew a sharp contrast in law enforcement's responsiveness, noting that while incidents in the garment sector receive quick attention, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employing 50 to 100 people receive little support.
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In a written statement, Taskeen underscored that while Bangladesh is rapidly advancing towards a transforming economy through initiatives like industrialisation, digital transformation, export diversification, and internal market expansion, the bedrock for this progress is a "safe, stable, and effective law and order environment."
Md Golam Mawla, president of the Edible Oil Traders Association, revealed that "all trucks now must be hired through middlemen at all land ports, with brokers charging Tk8,000-Tk10,000 per truck." He also reported a surge in theft and robbery, appealing for police assistance to ensure the safe transport of goods.
Former DCCI vice president Abdus Salam expressed the sentiment that despite regularly paying taxes, businesses now face a "frightening environment," which he deemed "unacceptable." Abul Hashem, president of the Bangladesh Sugar Traders Association, highlighted the pervasive fear, stating, "People now live in fear in their own homes at night due to a rise in robbery incidents. Similar conditions prevail on the streets, with sugar trucks being hijacked on highways."
Lutfur Rahman Babu, president of Mohammadpur Town Hall Market Association, asserted that "extortion is openly taking place in Mohammadpur, and police provide no solution. We want relief from this situation." M Abu Hurairah, another former DCCI vice president, warned that a further decline in law and order would render business operations impossible.
Haji Faizuddin, vice president of the Bangladesh Manihari Merchants Association, decried the poor traffic situation on highways due to illegally occupied road sections. Haji Syed Mohammad Bashiruddin, president of the Moulvibazar Traders Association, criticized the police forces for not yet playing an active role in improving law and order.
Among the law enforcement officials present, Md Mohaymenul Islam, inspector (Investigation) of Motijheel Police Station, acknowledged that "the law and order situation has improved since 5 August, but further improvement is needed." He conceded that "a suitable law and order environment for commercial activities has not yet been ensured," but affirmed the police's firm stance against "teenage and youth gangs."
The meeting also saw several businessmen allege market monopolisation by some large companies in the sugar and edible oil sectors, which they claimed intensified after the closure of Chattogram-based S Alam Group's companies. DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed lamented, "We hoped that syndicates would be broken after the government change, but that has not happened. The number of sugar companies has decreased from five to three. In this situation, sugar imports should be opened to private entrepreneurs." Businessmen also called for the containment of battery-operated rickshaws.
Mohammad Ejaz, administrator of Dhaka North City, and Md Nazrul Islam, additional police commissioner (crime and operations) of DMP, were scheduled to attend but were unable due to protests in the capital, according to the DCCI president.
Measures to curb Eid-time extortion
This is not the first instance of business leaders raising concerns over extortion, which typically escalates ahead of Eid-ul-Azha as traders transport sacrificial animals to the capital. In response, the commerce ministry held a meeting on Tuesday to address Eid-time extortion and decided on various measures.
Following the meeting, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin stated that his ministry sought assistance from the home affairs ministry to prevent extortion in the transportation of sacrificial animals. He also commented, "We analysed the impact of extortion on price inflation and found that extortion does not have a significant effect on market management." Addressing journalists, he urged them to report precise instances of extortion, promising action.
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman announced the formation of a special cell at the Secretariat and the establishment of a hotline to combat extortion in sacrificial animal transportation. He added that "local and highway police will be vigilant in stopping extortion," and that "as part of supporting the interim government, the military is on the ground with magisterial powers. They, too, will work to prevent extortion."
Separately, on Tuesday, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus chaired a high-level meeting at his official residence, Jamuna, with top government and military officials to discuss the law-and-order situation, emphasising the need for stable security across Dhaka and the country.
