The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the arrest of those involved in an armed attack and extortion demand at the office of Digital Dot Net (DDN) in Chattogram.
The organisation warned that if the suspects are not brought to justice within this period, it will be forced to shut down internet services throughout the Chattogram division.
ISPAB leaders announced this decision during a press conference at the Chattogram Press Club on Tuesday afternoon, which was followed by a human chain protest involving more than a hundred employees from various internet service providers.
Rajib Shahriar Rubens, the ISPAB Chattogram divisional convener, explained that the attack occurred on Monday afternoon at the DDN office in Chandonpura, Chawkbazar, following a telephone extortion demand made last Saturday.
He noted that the assault has caused significant panic among staff, leaving many too afraid to return to their workplace. Rubens further emphasised that such threats are a recurring issue for the sector and represent a major security crisis, as attacks on internet infrastructure threaten the country’s economy, administration, and public services.
The association presented four specific demands, which included the immediate identification and arrest of the perpetrators within the 24-hour deadline to ensure exemplary punishment and the reinforcement of security for all ISP firms and network infrastructure across the country.
They insisted on swift investigations into extortion within the sector and a coordinated effort by law enforcement agencies to prevent such incidents from recurring.
ISPAB leaders, including Central Committee Director Rashidur Rahman Rajan, stated that although they have continued to provide internet services in the public interest, they will be compelled to implement a strict shutdown programme across the Chattogram division if their demands are not met.
According to DDN, the company’s Managing Director, Adil Bin Mamun, was contacted on WhatsApp on 11 July by an individual claiming to be “David Imon” of the “Sajjad Group.”
The caller demanded a one-time payment of Tk2 crore and a monthly fee of Tk10 lakh, threatening to stop the business from operating if the money was not paid. Two days later, an armed group ransacked the office but failed to access the building’s data centre.
A police case has since been filed at the Chawkbazar Police Station against 30 to 40 unidentified individuals.
