Editorial
Extortionists having a field day
Intimidated businessmen ask for protection
THE congenial environment for the growth of trade and commerce is being denied by armed gangs of extortionists, who have seemingly become hyperactive. A good number of the victims were fatally shot in recent months when they failed or refused to come up with the money demanded. We are troubled by the reported revelation that around 1200 extortionists clustered into 300 gangs might be operating in the metropolis, thereby contributing to the spiralling of crime in the city. Reports of industrialists and business personalities receiving phone calls from these criminals with demands for huge sums of money are pouring in to the print and electronic media. According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Cell as many as 250 extortion related complaints were lodged since its formation on April 28. And needless to mention that many incidents go unreported as victims opt to remain unidentified for fear of reprisals.
Besides traders and industrialists, people involved in real estate business have also expressed their anxiety at the growing incidence of extortion targeting this sector. The Home Minister has reiterated government's pledge to end such crimes, but victims wait for actions to be made visible. They want to see results from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Detective Branch (DB) special cell that was created to curb extortion.
With the help of modern communication technology, extortionists are now allegedly finding it rather easy to operate from their hideouts, from inside jails and even from outside the country. As such, with godfathers staying behind curtains, it is their younger cohorts who do field level operations, including murders, and melt into the outskirts of the city.
We feel the idea to track down callers using most modern technology would go a long way in apprehending the criminals wherever they are. Also investigators should seek help from the foreign ministry and Interpol in catching ring leaders sitting at some safe haven abroad. Whatever it takes, extortionists must be stopped in their track, otherwise investment, trade and commerce will suffer a severe setback.
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