Editorial
Extortionists having a field day
If the police want they can be tracked down
The practice of extortion goes on. They are not doing it on the quiet rather the crime is demonstrative and loud. The culprits call up the targeted individuals putting out all kinds of threats, including of death and causing harm to the family.
A prominent Bangla daily has it that residents of Dhanmondi, Sukrabad and Subhanbagh have virtually become hostage to these free-wheeling extortionists. Shop owners at the malls are made to pay regular 'toll' to notorious extortionists. Anybody undertaking new building construction has to pay to go abut his work. In case of refusal to comply with their demand the goons are known to manhandle them and cause damage to their property or business.
Some of these extortionists claim proximity to local leaders of the ruling party. The latter must cautious about these elements.
Extortions are enacted in many forms. Some giving it softer label like 'contributions' to certain organization or to a particular social programme. Hefty demands are also made for political and community programmes.
Some victims complain of inaction from local police stations and indifference from local MPs even when they have approached them for redress.
This is disquieting. We fail to comprehend as to why there should not be any police action despite complaints having been lodged with them. Since these grievances are specific in nature the police have every right to use the tracking device available in the present day technology to book them.
It is time separate cells were opened in the police stations in extortion-prone areas to take up such complaints and go into action in pursuit of the criminals.
We believe if the law enforcing agencies are serious they should be able to contain the vice that is taking a worse turn, particularly during the Ramadan.
After all, the police are supposed to have the names of the extortionists on their dossier, aren't they?
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