Factory attacked over alleged extortion demand in Ashulia

A sweater factory in Ashulia was allegedly attacked and goods worth Tk40lakh were looted after its owner refused to pay extortion money, its chairman said on Tuesday.

Ahaduzzaman, chairman of ND Sweater Factory, made the allegations at a press conference held at the “Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB)” office in the capital’s Shegunbagicha.

He also alleged that Ashulia police refused to register his case and advised him to approach a court.

He said he had been running the factory for over 17 years on land purchased in the Rashid Market area of Madhya Gazirchat.

Recently, several men, including Md Sanowar, who allegedly identified himself as a local Chhatra Dal president, demanded Tk2 crore from him. When he refused, they lowered the demand to Tk1 crore, Ahaduzzaman claimed.

On 22 October, around 40 to 50 helmet-wearing youths allegedly entered the factory by breaking a wall. Armed with machetes, iron rods, crowbars, hammers, hockey sticks and wooden sticks, they threatened workers and looted yarn, sweaters and accessories worth around Tk40 lakh.

Police and SRB members arrived after Ahaduzzaman called 999, and drove the attackers away. But the group allegedly returned the following day.

Now, the factory remains closed, leaving Ahaduzzaman concerned about his safety and that of 1,100 workers, as well as of a possible labour unrest.

He sought urgent intervention from the prime minister and home minister.

Meanwhile, attempts to contact Sanowar for comment were unsuccessful.

Ashulia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Tarikul Islam said Ahaduzzaman had agreed to buy the land from Majed in 2011, but registration remained incomplete due to an internal dispute. Ahaduzzaman later built a tin shed there.

The OC said the incident was under investigation and further action would be taken based on its findings.