Meherpur’s big market paralyzed by extortion, shoppers returning home empty-handed

Meherpur Correspondent

One of the main and largest raw market in Meherpur city, a complete silence has suddenly descended. Ordinary shoppers are having to return empty-handed after coming to the market with bags in hand. Traders are observing a strike by declaring all shops in the raw market closed indefinitely in protest against the illegal toll collection and extortion by local BNP leaders and activists.

​Since Monday morning, August 31, hundreds of traders in the Tohbazar area of ​​Meherpur’s Barabazar closed all their shops and took to the main road. They completely stopped trading and chanted various slogans in support of their demands.

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Allegations of excessive rent and extortion

The aggrieved traders allege that the market lessors and local BNP leaders and activists are abusing their power and collecting additional rent and extortion at will, disregarding the tolls set by the government. Despite repeated prohibitions, this harassment has not stopped, which is threatening the business existence of ordinary traders and destroying the normal environment of the market.

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Administration’s indifference

The traders said that they had earlier given an ultimatum to the concerned administration to stop the excessive toll and extortion. But as no effective action was taken, they were forced to close their shops and take to the streets. They have strongly warned that they will continue this movement and strike until a concrete solution is found.

Public suffering and local demands

The sudden closure of the city’s largest raw material market has left ordinary shoppers in dire straits. The residents of Meherpur are returning home with empty bags, dissatisfied with not getting their daily necessities. The affected common people have demanded that the market be reopened as soon as possible through administrative intervention, bringing back a healthy environment free from political influence and extortion.