Khulna doctors and businesses plagued by extortion, 75 murders in 10 months
The region's top terrorist organisation 'B Company' demanded Tk 3 crore in extortion from a doctor beside Commerce College in Khulna city. Without filing any complaint with police out of fear, he has kept his chamber closed and gone into hiding.
Extortion was also demanded from another doctor in the same area; out of fear he has left for India. Another doctor has gone into hiding after a large extortion demand.
After vandalism and gunfire demanding Tk 10 crore from Sandhani Clinic, the authorities reached a settlement with 'B Company' for Tk 1 crore. The institution did not file a case over the incident. Khulna Sadar police later filed a case as plaintiff.
A sub-registrar was also abducted at gunpoint. He was reportedly released on condition of paying extortion every month.
Many individuals and institutions in Khulna are victims of extortion in this way. Government and private officials and businesspeople are not escaping the extortionists.
Law enforcement and local sources say that in Khulna, from January this year to yesterday, in 10 months there were 37 murders in the city and 38 in the district over extortion, drugs, establishing dominance and other incidents.
Even a police officer did not escape the terrorists. On October 9, miscreants hacked and injured police inspector Shah Alam.
On October 28, a top Khulna terrorist gang threatened Babu, manager of 'Chayanika' pharmacy on Tutpara Central Road in the city, demanding Tk 20 lakh and 10 motorcycles. After the incident the manager closed the business and went into hiding. The shop is currently closed. The same day in the evening terrorists vandalised Chinese Palace on Ahsan Ahmed Road in the city.
On October 24, Sandhani Clinic on Babu Khan Road in the city was vandalised and shots fired demanding Tk 10 crore. The next day miscreants staged an armed showdown at the clinic's second branch in Sonadanga.
On October 26, terrorists threatened Paikgacha upazila health and family planning officer Ahsanara Binte Ahmed in Khulna demanding extortion. They also threatened 'money or blood'. After the officer gave a written complaint to the local police station, police detained two people.
On October 25, Paikgacha Thana Bar Association president GM Abdus Sattar and general secretary GM Akkas Ali were separately threatened by phone demanding a large amount of extortion. Both gave written complaints to police.
On October 24, lecturer Dhananjay Kundu alias Akash Kundu (45) was injured by miscreants' gunfire. On October 27 miscreants shot cigarette company peon Salman in Nirala. On October 26 Jubo Dal activist Sohel in Batiaghata in the district and on October 27 Jubo Dal president Ohidul Islam Badal were shot. They are currently under treatment in Dhaka.
Information has been found on the activities of 22 terrorist organisations, robbers and juvenile gangs in Khulna. Every group is on the police list. The organisations include B Company led by Rony Chowdhury alias Babu alias Grenade Babu, Ashik Bahini, Nur Azim Group, Golden Boys, Tipsy Boys, King of Rupsa and Palash Group.
Police allege victims' families do not want to file cases. A Khulna Metropolitan Police official says the situation has worsened because terrorists get out on bail and become involved in crime again.
