Traders attacked during anti-extortion protest at Karwan Bazar

 
Traders protesting extortion at Dhaka's Karwan Bazar have allegedly been attacked by a group of people during a demonstration on Monday.

The incident took place around 11:30am on Monday when traders from the kitchen market were holding a human-chain protest, according to police.

Tejgaon Police Station chief (OC) Kayshainu Marma said a group of unidentified people armed with sticks launched the attack, leading to brief back-and-forth chases between the two sides. Police later arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control, he added.

Traders said they had organised the protest in response to what they described as months of extortion in the area. They said the attack took place shortly after the demonstration began.

Traders alleged that the police administration acted in favour of extortionists and remained passive despite the attack. "We were peacefully forming a human chain against extortion when we were suddenly attacked. We want to know how this could happen despite the presence of police nearby," said one trader, adding that the traders later united to resist the attackers.