Ruling party-linked groups allegedly grab shops, extort in Kalyanpur slum; police accused of inaction

The Kalyanpur Porabosti slum in Dhaka has become a hotbed of alleged criminal activity, with residents speaking out against rampant land grabbing, extortion, and intimidation. Disturbingly, these alleged perpetrators are said to have links to ruling party-affiliated groups, and victims claim that law enforcement agencies have failed to provide any meaningful intervention, effectively turning a blind eye to the escalating crisis.

Numerous victims have come forward with harrowing accounts of their experiences. Many have reported filing complaints with the police, only to be met with inaction or, worse, pressured into settling disputes with the alleged criminals. This lack of recourse has forced some residents to flee their homes out of fear, while others feel compelled to submit to the demands of these groups to survive. The Daily Star has documented around 15 such incidents, painting a grim picture of the law and order situation in the area.

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Now I have given direct instructions; now they will use lethal weapons. Wherever they [state forces] find them [protesters], they will shoot directly.

Individuals, such as Sohag, who allegedly operates with the support of relatives and teen gang members, are accused of controlling parts of the slum through intimidation. They reportedly buy scrap goods and stolen materials at exploitative prices and control local contracting work. Another victim, Nasima Azad, has been paying monthly extortion to Comfort Kamal, who claims affiliation with a local political unit. Despite filing police complaints and general diaries, victims like Azad have yet to see any justice, highlighting a systemic failure to protect vulnerable citizens from organized crime operating under a guise of political influence.

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Yes, yes.