Extortionists are holding businesses, hospitals, clinics and individuals to ransom in Khulna, where repeated demands for money and death threats have spread fear and anxiety across the city.
Some businesses were forced to shut down, only to face further threats when attempting to reopen.
Mallik Brothers Pharmacy in Rupsha has remained closed since extortionists demanded Tk30 lakh from it while several other pharmacies on Stand Road in Rupsha have also shut down temporarily.
The well-known Chayanika Pharmacy in Khulna was earlier forced to close following an extortion demand and has yet to reopen.
Police say taking legal action is difficult when affected businesses or their owners do not file complaints.
Babul Howlader, member secretary of Khulna Nagorik Samaj, told TIMES that civil society members also feel unsafe when speaking out against terrorism.
An unusual incident unfolded at New Apollo Diagnostic and Consultation on Khan Jahan Ali Road in the city.
The facility suspended operations from Monday morning until noon, following extortion demands and death threats.
After the matter spread on social media, further threats were issued, this time warning of murder if the facility reopened.
The authorities eventually resumed operations after 1pm.
Extortion demands began after a group of people carried out extensive vandalism at the facility on Saturday afternoon.
The facility’s manager, Zahid Hossain, said he received repeated calls on Sunday demanding money.
The initial demand was Tk30 lakh, followed by Tk20 lakh and, finally, Tk10 lakh.
When he told the callers that the facility could not afford to pay such a large amount, they ordered it to close by 11pm.
Zahid said the threats came from three WhatsApp numbers, with the caller identifying himself as Nur Azim. The facility was shut down before the deadline.
On Monday morning, when journalists began a live broadcast from outside the facility, the person identifying himself as Nur Azim called Zahid again, threatening to kill them if the facility did not reopen.
He also warned that there would be gunfire if they spoke about the matter.
Officer-in-Charge of Khulna Sadar Police Station Lokman Hossain Ripon said New Apollo did not file a written complaint.
Assistant Commissioner of Police MM Shakiluzzaman at Khulna Sadar headquarters told TIMES that the police, aware of the incidents, are treating them seriously with action being taken against those directly involved.
Six persons, identified as members of the Nur Azim gang, having links with extortion threats against Apollo Diagnostic were arrested, he added, asserting: “Police action against extortion will continue.”
Khulna’s law and order situation has remained fragile since the 2024 mass uprising.
Criminals announce their activities on Facebook, while police have reportedly instructed personnel not to go out in plain clothes at night for fear of attacks.
Murders, shootings and extortion have continued across the divisional city with government officials, doctors, as well as business owners, facing threats.
Sujat Ahmed, former civil surgeon of Khulna and deputy director of Khulna Medical College, was threatened after being asked to pay Tk2 lakh in extortion money.
At around 11pm last Sunday, he received a call and messages on WhatsApp demanding the money. The callers also provided a bank account number for payment.
Sujat Ahmed said the callers identified themselves as members of a criminal organisation, demanded money and subjected him to abusive behaviour.
He has been living in fear since the incident and now answers calls only from people he knows.
Like the authorities at New Apollo Diagnostic, Sujat has refrained from filing a written complaint with the police because of security concerns.
Officer-in-Charge of Sonadanga Police Station Md Rafiqul Islam said: “Legal action will be taken if a complaint is filed.”
In October, City Queens Hospital at Royal Mor was attacked over an extortion demand.
Criminals later attacked a branch of Sandhani Clinic, Chinese Palace and Rongdhonu Clinic, staging a show of force at another.
Kudrat-e-Khuda, president of the Khulna district committee of civil society organisation Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), told TIMES: “There is a lack of willingness on the part of the police here. I think a kind of inactivity and psychological crisis has developed within the force since 2024.”
Alluding to an expanding rivalry among various groups over control of the drug trade and the underworld, he said, “Some of those who previously controlled the criminal world are now abroad, and several individuals are using their names to extort money. As a result, new criminal gangs are emerging.
Expressing concern over the city’s deteriorating law and order situation, Khulna-3 MP and parliamentary whip Rakibul Islam Bakul of the ruling BNP, said, “The law enforcement agencies must resolve the situation that has developed in Khulna, otherwise, they will have to surrender.”
If necessary, I will take to the streets with the public, he proclaimed.
Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju also expressed anger over the situation.
“People will not be able to live in Khulna, nor will development be possible, because of terrorism and extortion. Businesspeople and doctors are now afraid to answer calls whenever they see an unfamiliar number,” he said.
According to data from Khulna Metropolitan Police and district police, 75 murders have taken place in Khulna this year. More than 100 incidents of people being injured by gunfire and attacks with sharp weapons have also been recorded.
