Even I am a victim: BTMA president exposes unchecked extortion in industries

Infographics: TBS

Following the ouster of the Awami League government, new groups took control of industrial areas and, after the BNP government took office, fresh power struggles have now emerged in some areas over control of these networks, factory owners have alleged.

They said extortion, forced control over industry waste, especially jhut (scrap fabric), threats against staff, truck hijackings and mob intimidation have intensified following the elections.

Even Showkat Aziz Russell, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), said he had personally fallen victim to extortion.

Describing the situation at his paper and board mill in Rupganj, Narayanganj, he said trucks carrying goods were routinely obstructed and that he was being forced to sell products below market prices.

"We cannot move trucks carrying our goods. They force us to sell materials worth Tk10 for Tk8 as part of a package deal," he told TBS. "They are also pressuring us to recruit people and create mobs. All this is happening with the backing of the local influentials."

Russell warned that the situation is likely to deteriorate further in the coming months.

Two firms file complaints 

The Business Standard has obtained copies of complaints filed by two major companies in Bhaluka.

According to one complaint filed on 11 July by Envoy Textiles Deputy General Manager (Administration) Sarowar Hossain with the Industrial Police in Mymensingh and the local police station, a group of miscreants forcibly hijacked one of its trucks from just outside the factory gate.

The vehicle was recovered later that night after law enforcement agencies were alerted.

The complaint named former Mymensingh Swechchhasebak Dal joint organising secretary Ibrahim Khalil, party leader Sohag Mia and several of their associates as being involved.

It further alleged that the accused had openly threatened to prevent the removal of jhut from the factory. It also said construction work had come to a halt after they obstructed the entry of building materials. The company requested strengthened security in the area.

In a separate complaint signed by SQ Group Country Head Warisul Abid and submitted to the deputy commissioner of DMP's Gulshan Division, the company said it had appointed a new vendor to handle the disposal of jhut, with removal scheduled to begin 4 July.

However, it alleged that on the night of 3 July 2026, an anonymous letter containing explicit death threats against FM Niyaz Elahi Khan, general manager of administration, and members of his family was delivered to his residence in Dhaka.

It further stated, "Around the same time, the undersigned (Warisul Abid) received a threatening telephone call from an unidentified individual issuing death threats in connection with the company's business decision."

The complaint also alleged that crude explosives were detonated outside the factory's main gate on the day the new vendor was due to remove jhut, causing panic among workers.

It further stated that on 5 July, an unidentified person visited Elahi's residence and, through the caretaker, delivered another threat. The company said it had subsequently filed both a general diary and a first information report with Bhaluka Police Station over the incidents.

Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said such incidents are at odds with the BNP's election manifesto, which promised to ensure a business-friendly environment.

"If these practices are not stopped, they will prove self-destructive and eventually spiral beyond control," he said. "The party should immediately send a clear organisational message against such activities, while the administration must be instructed to take legal action."

Companies report threats, truck hijacking

TBS spoke to 12 industrialists and six of them said they had been forced to sell waste from their garment, textile or paper mills to local influential groups; some alleged they had been subjected to extortion.

Four others said they were selling waste to local influential groups but had no complaints about the arrangement. Two said they had not faced such pressure, although both are widely regarded as influential figures with close ties to the ruling party.

None of the factory owners agreed to be identified, citing fears of retaliation.

A textile mill owner in Ashulia's Yearpur Union, who requested anonymity, told TBS that about a month ago, a man identifying himself as a local Jubo Dal leader visited his factory on three occasions and instructed company officials not to sell textile waste to anyone else.

"He warned that if we did, no truck carrying waste would be allowed to leave the factory premises," the owner said, adding that the pressure eased for a while after a local BNP leader intervened, but the individual returned to the factory a few days ago.

"If this continues, it will become impossible to run a business," he said, adding: "If my name or the factory's name is published, they could set the factory on fire."

TBS identified the accused as Ripon Sikder. When contacted, Ripon identified himself as a local Jubo Dal leader and denied the allegations.

"This business has always been politically controlled," he said. "Earlier, the Awami League was involved. Even now, some Awami League members are still engaged in the trade. We are not forcing anyone."

In Gazipur, the managing director of a garment exporter with annual exports exceeding $500 million, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said factories had long been compelled to hand over jhut, but the situation had deteriorated since the election.

"We had to sell jhut before, and we still do. But now something worth Tk10 is being bought for just Tk1. We have no choice but to accept it to avoid trouble," he said.

"Under the previous government, those who controlled the jhut business at least offered some support. We do not even get that from the current operators," he said, adding that such incidents were overshadowing many of the government's positive achievements.

Another industrialist, whose factory is in Dhamrai, said changes in the local power structure meant he was now required to sell jhut to associates of Sutipara Union Parishad Chairman Ramizur Rahman Chowdhury.

Chairman Ramizur Rahman acknowledged that local people were involved in the business but denied any wrongdoing. "Whoever is in power controls this business. Our people are also involved, but they buy the waste," he told TBS.

Bhaluka accused deny allegations

Several business owners blamed local BNP lawmaker Fakhar Uddin Ahmed Bacchu (Mymensingh-11) for the incidents in Bhaluka.

A garment factory owner, who requested anonymity and employs around 12,000 workers at a single factory, told TBS: "It is not just garment factories or industrial units. Even cattle farms are not safe from his [Bacchu] influence."

Bacchu was previously expelled from the BNP during the interim government's tenure over allegations of irregularities. On 18 July, the party again served him with a show-cause notice over allegations that people close to him had been involved in unlawful activities.

When contacted by TBS, Bacchu denied all allegations. Defending Ibrahim Khalil, who was named in Envoy Textiles' complaint, Bacchu said Khalil had no involvement in any wrongdoing.

"He was the one who helped recover Envoy Textiles' truck within an hour," Bacchu  said.

Khalil also denied the allegations. "The superintendent of the Industrial Police sought my assistance in recovering the truck, and I helped recover it," he said. Khalil added that local people were involved in the jhut business at virtually every factory in the area.

"Some people linked to the Awami League still control the business at Envoy. The country has changed. There is nothing wrong if our people now want to do business," he said.

He acknowledged, however, that he had urged the company to award the jhut business to people from his side. "But they will not give us the business. For the past 17 years, they have been doing business with people linked to the Awami League," he said.

Meanwhile, Bhaluka Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Islam confirmed that SQ Group had filed a case over the alleged incidents.

"The investigation is underway. No one has been arrested so far," he said, declining to comment further on the matter.