A little over 100 days into the Interim Government's assuming of office, and extortionists have once more returned plaguing Dhaka's roads, footpaths, shopping malls, transportation, wholesale markets to public places.
It is also disturbing to note that the change of government taken place in early last August has also introduced 'new actors' in Dhaka's extortion scenario. Illegal occupation of footpaths by hawkers has turned these public spaces into hotbeds of extortion, but this time with a different branding, alleging BNP leaders and even hawkers' associations collecting fees in the name of 'renting' them.
However, previously leaders and activists of the Awami League, its affiliated organisations, and some law enforcement members were regularly reported to have collected illegal extortion fees from around 300,000 footpath vendors in the capital. The fall ofAwami League government led to the collapse of their syndicates only by replacing it with a different political entity.
And that's not all, with numerous top AL leaders fleeing the country and grassroots activists went into hiding - BNP supporters have not only allegedly taken over administrative roles but also seized control of ground-level operations including the waste collection management of Dhaka.
It now appears, extortion has somewhat been institutionalized as a common practice by our two major political parties. In particular, Dhaka footpaths have manifestly become money-spinners for extortionists.
According to Bangladesh Hawkers' SangramParishad, there are around half a million hawkers in Dhaka alone.Law enforcement authorities often evict hawkers temporarily instead of rehabilitating them. If there was a proper policy and system, the government could have earned a significant amount of revenue from them.
The point, however, the sick political culture to exploit public spaces to appease party activists and affiliates at the expense of the poor must stop. At the same time, relevant government authorities including city corporations and utility companies must take stern action to prevent illegal occupation of public spaces, properties and services. They should also mete out punishment to corrupt officials and law enforcers, if proved guilty of aiding political elements in such practices.
While we welcome BNP high-ups' assurance to control their party activists, this is not enough. BNP must suspend party members involved in extortion practices and right away warn, investigate and hand over all corrupt elements to law enforcement agencies.
Lastly, we call on the interim government to initiate dialogue with experts and relevant stakeholders to quick address the extortion dilemma linked to informal businesses on footpaths, roads, transport sector to city slums while introduce a sustainable solution.
More than enough recommendations, solutions and opinions to efficiently address the extortion issue are already available in the public domain by now.
Now it is time to act officially.
