SHAHEEN MOLLAH and MUNTAKIM SAAD

Several groups, some claiming links to the ruling party, have allegedly been involved in grabbing shops and slum houses, as well as extortion and intimidation, in the Kalyanpur Porabosti slum area of Dhaka.

Many victims said they sought law enforcers’ intervention, to no avail. Some have left the area out of fear, while others said they were forced to comply with the alleged perpetrators’ demands.

The Daily Star learned of around 15 such incidents. In some cases, victims filed complaints with police, while others remained silent fearing reprisals.

Many also alleged that police tried to settle the issues between victims and criminals.

Md Russel, 40, a contractor who secured a waste management contract at Ibn Sina Hospital’s Kalyanpur branch on April 1 this year, alleged that one Sohag tried to take over the work and later demanded Tk 15,000 in monthly extortion from him.

Sohag, who claims to be a Jubo Dal activist, has allegedly established control over parts of the slum and nearby areas with the help of his relatives and some teen gang members.

When Russel refused, Sohag allegedly led a group of 20-25 people who abducted him from in front of Mizan Tower on April 10, took him inside the slum, and beat him. Locals later rescued him after hearing his screams and took him to a hospital.

Russel also said he filed a complaint with Mirpur Police Station two days later, but police subsequently compelled him to settle the matter with the accused.

Victims said Sohag buys scrap goods and stolen materials at low prices by intimidating shop owners and uses his group to control local contracting work. Allegations of mugging, assault, abduction, and grabbing houses have also been raised against him.

Nasima Azad, another victim, said Comfort Kamal -- who claims to be convener of the Ward 11 Swechchhasebak Dal unit -- has been forcibly collecting Tk 5,000 monthly from her shop in Deshmoy Super Market adjacent to the slum for the past 20 months.

After lodging complaints with the market authorities, she was advised to approach law enforcers. She filed a general diary with Mirpur Police Station on October 20, 2025, and later a case on February 2, 2026, but has yet to receive any remedy.

Nasima said she has been struggling financially since her husband died in 2021. She currently lives in Singair

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