Extortion wave tests BNP’s ‘zero tolerance’ pledge
Eight months after taking office in February, the ruling BNP government is struggling to rein in a wave of extortion, land grabbing and violent attacks sweeping across the country.
Despite repeated declarations of “zero tolerance,” ordinary citizens say they face demands for money almost daily, and in many cases are assaulted when they refuse.
On 29 September 2026, 38 eminent citizens issued a joint statement expressing deep concern and anger over what they described as a sharp rise in land grabbing, attacks and extortion carried out under political patronage and the influence of muscle power.
They said such incidents had increased noticeably in recent days, pointing to a clear deterioration in law and order.
The statement noted that media reports from various districts have documented the seizure of land and homes, the eviction of landless people from river islands (chars) and government khas land, and attacks on residences.
Among specific incidents, the signatories cited an attack, vandalism and looting at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1 in the capital.
They also pointed to an assault by several hundred people on the Beribadh area of Mohammadpur, with allegations of vandalism, land grabbing and the looting of cash, land deeds and other valuables.
A third incident they highlighted was the attack, vandalism and looting at the studio of content creator Salman Muqtadir at ECB Square.
Government: no one will be spared
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat recently, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced a zero-tolerance policy against extortionists and terrorists.
He made clear that no one’s political identity would be considered in the fight against crime, and that police would take impartial and strict legal action against anyone using political influence to seize property or extort money.
Strict directives have also been issued to bring every identified extortionist, terrorist and drug trafficker under the law swiftly.
Law enforcement members who fail to arrest or act against such offenders will themselves face departmental action, the minister said.
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed struck a similar note while speaking to The New Nation on Friday.
He described the current spate of extortion as a “culture of fascism,” but said the party was committed to curbing it.
“Our government has already announced zero tolerance against corruption and extortion,” he said. “We are taking action against extortionists irrespective of their party affiliations.”
He added that anyone who uses the BNP’s name or claims party identity to engage in extortion or criminal activity “will have to face the music,” and that none would be spared.
Mirpur: Leguna owners allege beating, police inaction
In the latest incident in the capital, several leguna (small three-wheeler bus) owners in Mirpur-1 have alleged they were beaten over a dispute about control of a stand and the collection of tolls.
One of them, Yakub Ali, alleged that 300 taka was demanded daily from each vehicle. When he refused, he said, 60 to 70 people attacked him.
He was later framed as an extortionist and handed over to police. After his release, he said, he went to the police station to file a complaint about the assault, but officers refused to accept it.
Yakub Ali, president of the Greater Mirpur Leguna Owners-Workers Union, made the allegations at a press conference held around 11:45 am on Friday at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
He demanded an impartial investigation into the attack and the arrest of those involved.
Rupnagar: builders say no one can build without paying
In Mirpur’s Rupnagar area, building owners say construction has effectively become impossible without paying off local groups.
Businessman Modachchher Hossain bought a four-katha plot with a partner. While neighbouring plots filled with buildings, his lay vacant for years. Four months ago he began piling work to start construction.
“As soon as work began, people started coming again and again demanding extortion money. It was the same group, but a different person each time,” he said. “I had started four pilings.
They threatened that I must first pay five lakh taka, or they would take away all the materials.”
Worn down by the demands, Hossain eventually stopped work and does not know when he will resume.
“I sold my land in the village and brought the money here to build a house and move into it. That didn’t happen. I’m still living in a rented home. I can’t get the work done by paying extortion.”
Despite the threats and the halt to construction, Hossain has not sought legal recourse. “It won’t do any good. Everyone here knows everything, but no one will do anything. It’s better to stay silent.”
Other plot owners in the neighbouring area told a similar story, claiming that around fifty plots and buildings in Rupnagar have faced extortion threats, and that no one can build there without paying.
Abdul Mannan, chairman of Daffodil Homes Company Limited, took up a ten-storey building project in the extended Rupnagar residential area. He has been unable to progress beyond the fourth floor.
“Extortion started from the time we dug the soil,” he said. “I sat with them many times, but each time a different person came.
Later I stopped paying, and then they beat up my workers several times. The idea is that if I pay them, they’ll let me work and won’t create trouble.”
Keraniganj: armed gang loots housing firm’s office
In Arshinagar of Keraniganj on the outskirts of Dhaka, the office of the real estate company Afsana Housing was ransacked last Sunday.
At 11:26 am, an empty small truck pulled up outside, by which time about thirty young men had already entered the office, which was empty at the time.
CCTV footage shows the men, armed with sticks and machetes, smashing through the gates of various rooms and vandalising the premises.
They then carried out sofa sets, air conditioners, a television and other furniture, loaded them onto a pickup van waiting outside, and drove away.
