In Savar, BNP leaders and activists have been accused of taking over various businesses, including jhut (leftovers) warehouses, dish and internet services, and engaging in land grabbing and extortion after ousting Awami League leaders.
There are also claims that they influence the designation of defendants in police cases.
These developments began after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5 during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
Since the government's fall, most Awami League leaders and activists have gone into hiding, while BNP leaders and activists have started to appear in public.
Beginning on August 6, BNP leaders have been holding rallies, processions, and meetings continuously in streets, neighbourhoods, and highways. These actions have already drawn criticism from some members of the public.
Jhut business takeover
Reports indicate that with the change in power, the practice of taking over businesses has started in factories in the Ashulia area. Among these, there have been incidents of taking over the jhut business from garment factories.
Sources claim that Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin Babu, former member of parliament for Dhaka-19 (Savar-Ashulia) and BNP central assistant secretary for family welfare, along with his followers, including Ayub Khan, general secretary of Dhaka District Jubo Dal, have been playing a role in these takeovers.
Recently, allegations have been made against Salahuddin Babu and his associates, including Shimul Union BNP’s Joint General Secretary Md Rubel Sheikh, former central volunteer team member Md Shamim, and Jubo Dal activist Noor Islam, for taking over the jhut business of Rose Integrates in Barai Para, Ashulia.
A jhut businessman connected with Tanzila Textile said: "Along with two others, I signed a contract with the factory for one year. But after the fall of the government, Rubel and Shamim took away the jhut. One of the factory’s businessmen had a prior connection with Asaduzzaman Mohon, the Dhaka District Volunteer Party Secretary. When he came to inquire about the issue, Rubel and Shamim’s people tried to embarrass him."
“They have also taken over the jute business of another factory named Tanzila Textile. A businessman who contracted with this factory stated, "Although I signed a contract for the jhut business, I could not operate. Rubel, Shamim, and several others have taken over the business."
When contacted about these allegations, Rubel's phone was found to be off. Md Shamim said: "Rubel took jhut from Tanzila Factory. I took it from another factory."
Additionally, BNP leaders and activists are allegedly trying to take over the jhut business of Euro Arte Apparel Limited in the Kabirpur area.
Officials responsible for the Dhaka Export Processing Zone said BNP leaders are attempting to take over the jhut business in various factories and are pressuring factory officials to hand over the business.
Control of dish business and extortion
There have also been complaints about the takeover of dish and internet services, as well as extortion, in various areas of Savar.
Shamsul Haque, who runs a dish business in Islamnagar, Savar, reported that on August 6, leaders of Patalia Union Jubo Dal, including Iqbal Kabir and Ahsanullah, locked up his business premises and began collecting bills. Furthermore, on August 13, Iqbal Kabir threatened him over the phone.
Iqbal Kabir denied these allegations, saying that a person named Khokon started the dish business in 1998, but Shamsul Haque took it over in 2015. He claims to be helping Shamsul Haque regain his business.
There are also allegations against Dharmrai Municipal Volunteer Team convener Md Masum Ahmed and several others over land grab in the small Bolimeher Mouza area of Savar.
It is reported that Abul Kalam Azad, Ziaul Islam, and Firoza Begum bought 10% of the land from two women, Sofura Begum and Rokeya Begum.
Abul Kalam Azad said that they are paying land tax, municipal tax, electricity bills, and gas bills. They also received approval for building design from Rajuk in 2021. However, recently, Md Masum Ahmed and some relatives of the previous owners broke the lock on the boundary wall and attempted to take over the land.
On August 18, they tried to set up a temporary structure on the land.
Md Masum Ahmed said that Sofura and Rokeya's two brothers, Nazir Hossain and Rafiqul Islam, and his father-in-law. Nazir Hossain did not sell his share of the land, making the purchase invalid. He called for both parties to meet and resolve the issue.
Additionally, on August 11, there were allegations of extortion in a jhut warehouse in Ashulia's Zirabo area.
It was reported that on that day, a person named Mo Machu and his associates went to the warehouse and demanded extortion money. Upon getting this information, a central volunteer team leader contacted Machu by phone.
Machu identified himself as a cousin of Salahuddin Babu and demanded money from the warehouse owner.
Attempts to reach Salahuddin Babu and Ayub Khan by phone for comments were unsuccessful, and they did not respond to text messages.
Regarding these issues, Kazi Syedul Alam, organising secretary of the BNP’s Dhaka division, said that various complaints are being received. If the complaints are verified as true, punitive measures will be taken.
He added that the acting chairman of the BNP has instructed that anyone involved in controversial activities face disciplinary action.