Traders at Karwan Bazar Face Sudden Attack During Peaceful Protest Against Extortion

Traders at Karwan Bazar’s Kitchen Market in Dhaka were allegedly attacked by outsiders during a peaceful human chain protest against extortion. The incident occurred on Monday around 11:30 a.m.

According to the traders, followers of Abdur Rahman, the expelled secretary of Tejgaon Thana Jubo Dal, carried out the assault. Since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 last year, Abdur Rahman and his supporters have reportedly been extorting money from various markets in Karwan Bazar. The human chain protest was organized to oppose these activities. Several traders were injured in the attack, after which the traders defended themselves using sticks.

The protest was part of a pre-planned program, with over a thousand traders participating at the Kitchen Market around 11:15 a.m. Suddenly, a group of outsiders arrived and attacked the demonstrators, causing the gathering to scatter.

When the traders regrouped in front of the Kitchen Market armed with sticks, the attackers fled the scene. The traders then staged a demonstration at the market, and tensions continued for nearly an hour. By 1:00 p.m., police and military personnel were stationed at the site.

Bayalet Hossain, organizational secretary of the Islamiya Shanti Samiti in Karwan Bazar, told reporters that traders from Karwan Bazar Supermarket, Kitchen Market, and Supermarkets 1 and 2 have been harassed by Abdur Rahman and his associates. They reportedly collect daily and monthly extortion from shops and even from ice sellers. Several cases have been filed against Abdur Rahman for extortion, including three new cases filed just yesterday.

Hossain said, “We were holding a peaceful human chain against extortion when a group of outsiders suddenly attacked us. Many traders were injured. The police had been informed about the protest in advance, but the attack still took place.”

Abdur Rahman, formerly a secretary of Tejgaon Thana Jubo Dal, was expelled from the party over extortion allegations. However, he continues to allegedly extort money while using his former party identity.

Hossain added that traders now feel unsafe and called for urgent measures to make Karwan Bazar free from extortion and threats, while also requesting administrative intervention to ensure their security.

Sazzadul Miraj, secretary of Dhaka North Metropolitan Jubo Dal, told Prothom Alo that the protesters are linked to the Awami League and that the human chain was organized due to disputes between committees. Another group then attacked the protestors. He also noted that Abdur Rahman’s expulsion was related to a misunderstanding over a statement he had given to the media.

Fazlul Karim, Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Tejgaon Police, said multiple trader groups are present in the area, and during the protest, one group clashed with the other. Several people were injured and sent to hospitals. Police intervened immediately to control the situation. Injured parties were advised to file cases at the police station, and full legal action will be taken.