38 eminent citizens express concern over politically backed violence, land grabbing and extortion
They call for an impartial, high-level investigation into alleged land grabbing, attacks and extortion, saying political influence may be preventing police from taking proper action.
Thirty-eight eminent citizens have expressed deep concern and anger over alleged land grabbing, attacks and extortion across the country, warning that the incidents point to a deterioration in the law and order situation.
In a joint statement yesterday (29 September), they said reports of land and property grabbing, eviction of landless people from government-owned land, and attacks on homes had emerged from various districts in recent weeks, reports Prothom Alo.
The signatories also cited the attack, vandalism and looting at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Mirpur-1, Dhaka, followed by allegations of attacks, vandalism and land grabbing by hundreds of people in the Beribadh area of Mohammadpur. Money, land deeds and other belongings were reportedly looted during the latter incident, they said.
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The statement also referred to the attack, vandalism and looting at content creator Salman Muqtadir's studio near ECB Chattar.
The signatories alleged that politically influential groups were using their power to evict landless people and seize land in several areas, including Char Bangla in Patuakhali, Bhatirtek in Noakhali Sadar, Char Fasson and other chars in Bhola. They also alleged that crops grown on the land were being stolen under cover of darkness.
They further expressed concern over an increase in snatching incidents in Dhaka and other cities, as well as sexual violence against children and violence against women.
The statement said police had advised people in some areas to remain cautious after designating them as high-risk zones. The signatories said these developments indicated a worrying deterioration in law and order.
They alleged that the incidents were not merely acts of criminality but involved influential groups linked to political parties, armed followers of the ousted government and sections of the law enforcement agencies.
They called for a swift, impartial and high-level investigation to identify those responsible, along with their alleged backers and patrons at home and abroad, and bring them to justice.
The signatories also alleged that police in some areas were unable to take appropriate action promptly because individuals involved in the incidents had links to ruling-party leaders and activists at different levels.
They said accountability for the situation rested not only with the Ministry of Home Affairs but with the government as a whole.
The statement was signed by Sultana Kamal, Anu Muhammad, Khushi Kabir, Shirin Parvin Haque, Iftekharuzzaman, Abu Sayeed Khan, ZI Khan Panna, Sara Hossain, Shaheen Anam, Shahidul Alam, Swapan Adnan, Shamsul Huda, Samina Luthfa, Sumaiya Khair, Giti Ara Nasreen, Zobaida Nasreen, Tasnim Siraj Mahbub, Nova Ahmed, Firdaus Azim, Rehnuma Ahmed, Saeed Ferdous, Subrata Chowdhury, Naila Khan, Md Nur Khan, Pavel Partha, Ishita Dastidar, Manindra Kumar Nath, Rozina Begum, Zakir Hossain, Saidur Rahman, Saleh Ahmed, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Shahed Kayes, Mithun Raksam, Saeed Ahmed, Dipayan Khisa, Hana Shams Ahmed and Muktashree Chakma.
