In Bauphal, Patuakhali, two businessmen were allegedly threatened with death after refusing to pay extortion money to the son of a local BNP leader, prompting a brief strike by shop owners.
The incident occurred on Friday morning near the Kalaiya Dhan Hat Bridge, Daspara Bus Stand area, when local businesspeople closed their shops in protest. Newly elected Member of Parliament Shafiqul Islam rushed to the scene and assured that the perpetrators would be brought under the law, after which the businesses reopened around noon.
Business owners alleged that Sohorab Hossain Pyada’s son, Shanto Pyada (22), along with several associates, routinely demanded extortion from local shops in Daspara Union. After the businessmen stopped paying from Wednesday, Shanto reportedly threatened the president of the construction materials owners’ association with public killing. When a written complaint was filed at the local police station, Shanto allegedly summoned the association president the next day and brandished a knife, issuing further threats. Local residents and other businesspeople intervened, forcing the suspects to flee.
The Daspara-Kalaiya Construction Materials Owners’ Association comprises 32 shops, dealing in construction materials such as rods, cement, sand, and stones supplied by 15–20 trawlers or cargoes daily. The BNP leader’s son and his associates allegedly demanded 1,000 to 1,500 taka per trawler or cargo.
Masud Rana, the association’s general secretary, said that the newly elected MP had promised before the election to make Bauphal free of extortion. The association decided to stop paying the extortion money on Wednesday, after which Shanto reportedly threatened the association president, Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury, multiple times.
Chowdhury told reporters, “Shanto always carries weapons. We are living in fear.” He demanded the immediate arrest of the suspects. Attempts to contact Shanto Pyada were unsuccessful. Sohorab Hossain Pyada claimed the money collection was not extortion but payment related to a local water lease.
Officials from the Upazila Executive Officer’s office confirmed that the Kalaiya and Daspara canals have not been leased out as water bodies.
Newly elected MP Shafiqul Islam stated, “There will be no extortion in my constituency. Businesspeople must be able to operate freely. If necessary, I will take personal risks to make Bauphal extortion-free.”
Arif Muhammad Shakur, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Bauphal Circle), added, “We have spoken with the MP. Appropriate action will be taken against those involved as soon as possible.”
