Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed concern over 3 recent incidents involving the alleged looting and encroachment of the Radda MCH-FP Center, a clash within the local BNP over control of a jalmahal in Kishoreganj, and vandalism at a content creator’s office.
In a statement issued on Sunday, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the incidents were not isolated and called for accountability for those involved, along with a nationwide self-purification drive within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
He described the looting, vandalism and encroachment at the Radda MCH-FP Center as an example of conduct that could affect the government and the ruling party.
“This nonprofit organization has been providing healthcare to underprivileged and vulnerable mothers and children for 50 years. It has now been demolished before hundreds of people, under the patronage of a reserved-seat Member of Parliament and in the presence of police.
“For its citizens, what kind of example is the ruling party providing? This party received a historic electoral mandate following the violent July uprising that overthrew an authoritarian kleptocracy. What message do its leaders and activists convey to the citizens through such actions?
“The reckless conduct of the previous authoritarian government is still fresh in public memory. In this context, have the BNP’s policymakers ever thought of the consequences of the continuing encroachment and extortion of a large section of the party’s leaders and activists?” he said.
Iftekharuzzaman said that since August 2024, a section of BNP leaders and activists had claimed the mantle of victory following the fall of the Awami League government and had faced widespread allegations of encroachment, extortion and attempts to establish dominance across the country.
“With the political change, many of the party's leaders and activists at different levels, including the grassroots, began acting recklessly. The media, observers and political circles have expressed concern about this issue.
“Immediately after the fall of the Awami League government, extortion and encroachment changed hands, and a section of BNP leaders and activists turned the situation into a free-for-all,” he said.
He said such incidents had occurred at major bus terminals, including Sayedabad, Mohakhali and Gabtoli in Dhaka, as well as in Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna.
He also referred to alleged encroachment and extortion involving footpaths, markets, water bodies, sand mills, local bazaars, cable and internet connection services, waste collection businesses, and activities at the upazila and union levels.
He said the incidents had frequently resulted in internal conflicts and rivalry that had turned violent, while daily, monthly and one-off extortion had continued.
Moreover, he said a government minister had repeatedly declared that “extortion is not corruption, but a negotiated transaction,” and alleged that the government had taken no action in response.
“As a result, these incidents are occurring more frequently, normalizing extortion and encroachment. This is an ominous sign for the government,” he said.
TIB’s executive director also cited the clash between 2 factions of the local BNP over control of a water body in Kishoreganj and the vandalism of a creative studio.
“These are not isolated incidents. They are simply a continuation of events that have taken place since August 2024. They are sufficient to overshadow all of the government's good deeds and initiatives and to give the public a bad impression.
“The ruling party must honor its anti-corruption electoral commitments and take effective self-purification measures right now. If it does not, it will lose the chance and ability to control such encroachment and extortion in the future, even if it wants to.
“At least, that is what examples from the recent past tell us. The situation may worsen if vested interest groups fail to maintain their control, and it may be too late to take action,” he said.
TIB said that in some cases, such misconduct had embarrassed the party’s senior leadership, prompting organizational measures including expulsion, but that stronger preventive strategies were lacking.
It also said those involved in the alleged abuses of power were directly or indirectly affiliated with the ruling party, leaving law enforcement agencies unable to take effective action.
According to TIB, a culture of arbitrariness, corruption, irregularities and impunity was re-emerging, for which the government would have to bear responsibility on many fronts.
The organization called on the authorities to investigate each of the incidents without delay and ensure that those responsible face exemplary punishment.
