Karwan Bazar: Extortion, weak sales double blow for footpath vendors

While rows of colourful clothes in makeshift stalls along the busy footpath beside the BMTC building remain untouched despite Eid approaching, vendors in the capital’s Karwan Bazar are grappling with low profits and the continued burden of extortion payments.

They allege they are still being forced to pay, even as the expected brisk business in the latter half of Ramadan has failed to materialise.

Speaking to The Daily Star on the night of March 13, Riaz (not his real name), a 55-year-old vendor who sells children’s clothes at the market, said, “Usually from the 15th of Ramadan, the market becomes lively and sales pick up. But this year, it still hasn’t taken off.

“On top of that, we have to pay Tk 100 in extortion every night. With only about a week left before Eid, I don’t know how we will manage.”

He has been running his small stall for over a decade, laying out a wooden platform on the pavement. Over the years, he said, paying regular extortion money to local collectors has become an unavoidable part of doing business in the area.

“When sales were good, it wasn’t too hard to pay the extortion. But this year, sales are slow across the entire market.”

According to him and several other vendors, around Tk 100 is collected nightly from each stall, along with an additional Tk 150 weekly -- allegedly in the name of local law enforcers.

Expressing frustration, he said, “Before the election, MP candidates promised that extortion would stop if elected… but the reality is different.”

The same allegations were echoed along the stretch from Jahangir Tower to the BTMC building and up to Ambar Shah Mosque, where around 100 makeshift stalls operate, selling clothes, shoes, and other items. Vendors there also said daily collections typically range between Tk 100 and Tk 150.

Meheraj (not his real name), who has been selling clothes on the footpath for nearly five years, said the amount of extortion used to be higher before August 5.

“For a few days after August 5, the collections stopped, but resumed after a while, though the amount has somewhat reduced.”

Following government directives, several police units recently prepared a list of alleged extortionists across the country, including in the capital, categorised into six groups.

A list related to the Karwan Bazar area, seen by The Daily Star, includes 37 individuals allegedly involved in collecting extortion from footpath vendors. According to the document, most are political actors.

However, a separate investigation by The Daily Star found that at least 50 to 60 individuals are involved in extortion in the area.

There are also allegations that some members of Tejgaon Police Station are involved in the collection process.

Rabeya Begum (not her real name), a vegetable vendor near Super Market No-2 in Karwan Bazar, said she personally does not pay extortion, but others nearby are forced to pay between Tk 200 and Tk 500 daily.

“People are afraid to speak about extortion… if someone speaks out, the extortionists beat them, harass them, and sometimes force them to leave the area.”

Karwan Bazar, one of the capital’s largest wholesale markets, sees hundreds of trucks arrive every night carrying vegetables, fish, and other goods from across the country. Vendors allege that large sums are also collected from these trucks and vans as well.

A small trader, preferring anonymity, said,

“At the makeshift wholesale spots near the Prothom Alo office, vendors have to pay between Tk 500 and Tk 1,000 per stall every day… In addition, Tk 100 is collected from each shop in the name of Tejgaon Police Station.”

Contacted for comment, Kya Swee Nue Marma, officer-in-charge of Tejgaon Police Station, denied the allegations. “If anyone collects extortion in the name of the police, provide the names. They will be brought to justice.”

ATTACK ON ANTI-EXTORTION PROTEST: CASE FILED

On December 29 last year, traders organised a human chain in Karwan Bazar protesting extortion, which was later attacked by a group of assailants armed with sticks.

At the time, several participating traders alleged that some local leaders and activists of Jubo Dal were present during the attack.

A case was filed with Tejgaon Police Station the next day against around 30 individuals, including the expelled member secretary of the local Jubo Dal.

Contacted recently, several small traders who had led the anti-extortion movement declined to speak on record. Others, requesting anonymity, said extortion continues in the area.

“Collections are still ongoing using the names of different political leaders,” one trader said, alleging that law enforcement agencies are aware of the issue but remain silent.

Anwaruzzaman Anwar, a senior member of the convening committee of Dhaka North BNP, said several leaders and activists accused of involvement in extortion in Karwan Bazar had already been expelled from the party.

“If anyone still uses the party’s name to carry out extortion, action will be taken based on evidence, and they will be handed over to law enforcement agencies.”