Poultry Traders in Kaptan Bazar Face Terrorism, Extortion; Seek Government Action
Continuous terrorist attacks, extortion, and threats to life have been reported against legally authorized leaseholders and their employees at the nighttime wholesale poultry market in Kaptan Bazar, Dhaka. Victims expressed deep concern over the lack of effective action by authorities and called for intervention from the highest levels of government.
These allegations were presented on Monday (December 23) at 11:00 AM during a press conference held at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity by Md. Shakhawat Hossain, Managing Director of Dhaka Pacific Limited.
Md. Shakhawat Hossain stated that, according to the Dhaka South City Corporation memorandum number 46.207.000.13.02.6971, 2023/727 (dated November 19, 2025), Dhaka Pacific Limited legally secured the lease of the nighttime wholesale poultry market in Kaptan Bazar, under Wari Police Station, for one year through a tender process. However, from the beginning of their tenure, a coordinated group of criminals has been illegally occupying the market and obstructing lease operations.
He alleged that on the night of November 23, around 11:30 PM, while attempting to assume responsibility in the presence of Executive Magistrate Aminul Islam of Dhaka South City Corporation, a group of 70–80 criminals led by Emdad Patwari, Nurul Islam, and Jumon forcibly closed the market. During the lease takeover, the group threatened to kill and dispose of the bodies of those who tried to collect rent. The following day, similar terrorist activities were carried out by closing the market again.
Md. Shakhawat Hossain further claimed that on the night of November 25, while attempting to collect lease payments, the criminals demanded a daily extortion of BDT 600,000 and a one-time payment of BDT 5,000,000. They also took control of nearly 200 shops in the market, imposing illegal conditions for revenue collection. Refusal to comply led to threats of being burned alive.
He said that between November 26 and December 10, lease collection was only possible from 70–80 shops, excluding over 200 shops under criminal control. During this period, multiple armed attacks caused serious injuries to the company’s officers and employees.
On December 7, in the early morning, while city corporation cleaners were present, employee Mizanur Rahman Billal was held at gunpoint and BDT 120,000 was seized. Later, on December 12, a more severe attack left Shahjahan and at least 10 others seriously injured and hospitalized.
Although complaints were filed with Wari Police Station, no cases have been registered as FIRs, and no arrests have been made. Expressing frustration at administrative inaction, the press conference demanded the immediate arrest of the criminals and extortionists, ensuring employee safety, and unhindered continuation of legal lease operations. They also called for exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.
