On October 20, four local BNP leaders allegedly demanded Tk 1 lakh from a garment factory owner in Gazipur's Manipur Bazar. "They said they needed money for the upcoming election," the owner told The Daily Star, seeking anonymity.
When he offered Tk 20,000, they threatened to shut down his factory. "I was forced to give the full amount. If I complain and the party gets angry, will the police stand by me?" he said, adding that a previous complaint to BNP's central office over a similar incident yielded no response.
Such incidents are not isolated. On October 17, the convener of Ward-20 BNP allegedly demanded Tk 65,000 in monthly extortion from a business owner in Gazipur city's Tek Kathora area. After refusal, the establishment was shut down. A complaint has since been lodged with Gazipur Metropolitan Police.
In Narayanganj's Shibpur area, businessman Sohel Mia was attacked on October 2 by a Chhatra Dal leader for refusing to pay Tk 2 lakh. The assault left two of his teeth broken and his right hand permanently paralysed. A case has been filed.
Businesspeople in Gazipur, Narayanganj and Savar -- home to over 6,000 garment factories employing 32 lakh workers -- say extortion and intimidation have not seen any decline despite the extortionists linked to the Awami League fleeing after the previous government's fall on August 5 last year.
The sector, which generates 80 percent of Bangladesh's export revenue, is now witnessing a troubling continuation of politically backed coercion.
Factory owners say the lucrative trade of "jhut" -- fabric remnants and scraps from garment production -- has become a battleground.
Previously dominated by Awami League operatives, it is now largely controlled by local BNP leaders. The industry produces around four lakh tonnes of jhut annually.
A factory manager in Tongi said his factory generates jhut worth Tk 50 lakh a month, but is forced to sell at half the price. In Narayanganj, a trader said medium-sized factories produce jhut worth Tk 20–22 lakh monthly, yet political leaders pay only Tk 2–4 per kg, far below the market rate of Tk 40.
Control over jhut ensures a steady monthly income, fuelling violent turf wars. Media reports say 30 people were injured in 15 clashes over jhut trade in Gazipur, Narayanganj and Savar between August 5 last year and October 8 this year.
According to Ain o Salish Kendra, at least 65 BNP leaders and activists were killed and 2,962 injured in internal clashes nationwide in the 12 months till August 5 this year—many linked to jhut disputes.
FACES CHANGE, EXTORTION CONTINUES
Factory owners say extortion has become more localised. "Previously, it was centrally controlled; now it's area-based," said Nazmul Kabir, managing director of AR Jeans Producer Ltd in Savar. "We manage and move forward, hoping law and order improves."
In Savar, financial transactions have shifted from central AL leaders to local BNP operatives. In Gazipur, BNP factions reportedly use crude bombs, firearms and arson, while in Narayanganj, intimidation is more discreet.
Taskeen Ahmed, president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said political figures pressure businesses for "contributions".
"Even scrap materials must be sold at half the market price. Refusal means shutdown. One group left, only to be replaced by another," said Taskeen, who owns a factory in Savar.
Echoing him, businesspeople said extortion persists despite changes in political faces.
Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed admitted extortion has increased since August 5 last year. "We are not a political government, so we cannot take harsh actions. Extortion rates have gone up from Tk 1 to Tk 1.5 or Tk 2," he told journalists on September 30.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said such problems intensify after regime changes. "Compared to a year ago, the situation has improved. Though incidents still occur, they are less frequent."
A survey by Innovision Consulting found 56.6 percent of respondents -- mostly urban youth and high-income groups -- believed extortion had risen in the six months till September 21.
BNP insiders said many grassroots leaders, previously in hiding during AL's 15-year rule, saw an opportunity to profit from jhut trade after the regime change.
Abu Al Yusuf, member secretary of Narayanganj BNP, alleged that Chhatra League and Jubo League leaders are now collaborating with some BNP members to extort and intimidate businesspeople, tarnishing the party's image.
NOT ALL FACE ACTION
Industrial Police Additional Inspector General Gazi Jashim Uddin said no formal complaints have been received. "Some owners avoid filing complaints to stay out of trouble. We've asked them to contact us immediately if they face problems."
In a Facebook post on September 18, acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said over 7,000 members faced disciplinary action, with many expelled for "corruption, extortion, and misconduct".
Yet, not all complaints lead to action. On August 23, a Swechchhasebak Dal leader dumped 20 vanloads of garbage into a factory's drainage in Gazipur's Sreepur upazila after failing to extort Tk 50,000, according the statement of a case filed over the incident.
Later, he and several others allegedly assaulted the factory's assistant general manager. The case was filed with Sreepur Model Police Station, naming the Swechchhasebak Dal leader and four others, with 21 unidentified accused. Police have arrested one suspect so far.
The factory official who filed the case said, "These goons always have political backup. The Swechchhasebak Dal leader is backed by a local BNP leader seeking MP nomination. I've survived only because I'm a former army officer."
Two months on, no party action has been taken against the Swechchhasebak Dal leader. The Daily Star's attempts to reach him failed.
Eight other factory owners in Gazipur told The Daily Star they faced similar threats but remained silent out of fear.
Political analyst Mohammad Mojibur Rahman said BNP's weakened chain of command caused by Khaleda Zia's illness and Tarique's London-based leadership has led to a leadership crisis.
"Many expect BNP to form the next government. That's why businesspeople and police avoid confrontation, allowing grassroots leaders to act without restraint," said Mojibur, professor at Dhaka University's Institute of Education and Research.
BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo admitted some members were involved in extortion.
"I won't say BNP leaders and activists are not involved. But many things are unfairly blamed on us," he said. Such incidents will persist without an elected government, though the party has expelled many found guilty of extortion and threats."
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the party took action whenever there were allegations of irregularities against any party member. "We are taking the toughest possible stance on these matters."
"Law enforcement agencies should also take legal action regarding such irregularities. We have already told them to take necessary steps," he added.