Mob violence disrupts economic activity nationwide

Staff Correspondent

Since the fall of the Awami League government, the country’s economic activities have been severely disrupted by mob violence, arson and looting for the past 16 months. Entrepreneurs and investors have been terrified by the successive attacks, vandalism and extortions on various industries and business establishments. There are also allegations that the government has indulged and patronized mob violence at various times instead of taking action against the mob violence. Moreover, the level of mob violence against businessmen and industrialists who believe in the ideology of the Awami League has exceeded the level during the Yunus government. Their institutions have been occupied, vandalized, arson and looted openly. As a result, the overall economy has been affected.

According to newspaper reports, at least 1,243 factories across the country have been attacked by mobs during this period. Of these, 48 were attacked and set on fire in major ways. The most horrific incident occurred at the Gazi Tires factory in Rupganj, Narayanganj. After the fall of the Awami League government, at least 182 people are feared dead in the attack, looting and arson at the factory owned by former Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi.

The factory in Ruposhi was attacked on the morning of August 25 last year, shortly after Golam Dastagir Gazi was arrested from the capital. The factory was set on fire that night, which was brought under control after five days. As the building became dangerous due to the continuous fire, it was not possible to conduct a rescue operation inside. The relatives of the missing workers had hoped to at least recover the bodies, but that too was not fulfilled.

After the incident, the investigation committee formed by the Narayanganj district administration referred to it as ‘arson and looting’ in its report, not a mere accident. However, despite knowing who was involved in the incident, the investigation committee did not take any action.

The report said that after the news of Gazi’s arrest spread, the terrorists gathered people by announcing it on the mosque’s microphone. Then, they systematically entered the factory, expelled the workers, and looted for a long time. No member of the law enforcement agencies was present there at the time. Even though they were informed, they did not come forward. Instead, they stood by and watched the looting and arson.

The attackers set fire to the ground floor of the building around 10:30 pm and locked the gate before leaving. The fire spread quickly due to the large amount of flammable materials inside the building. Although the fire was brought under control with the continuous efforts of 12 units of the fire service, it took five days to completely extinguish it.

No case has been filed in this incident so far, no one has been arrested. Similarly, there has been no trial in the attacks and arson incidents in other factories. Due to lack of justice, many industrial establishments have been closed, many of which have never been reopened. No cases have been filed, either in the government or the private sector. Rather, there are allegations that no cases have been allowed to be filed. Despite so many deaths, no family has been able to file a case for a normal trial.
According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, about 75 percent of the riots that occurred in Dhaka in the last 16 months have occurred in Motijheel, Gulshan and Tejgaon areas. The attempts to seize a commercial building in Motijheel, the attack on the family home of a former MP in Gulshan and the planned seizure of flats in the Baridhara diplomatic area have caused deep concern among businessmen.

Fazle Shamim Ehsan, president of the Bangladesh Employers Federation, said, “Investment and employment are being hampered due to the deteriorating law and order situation. Investors are losing confidence and want an elected, stable government. Still, a group is trying to legitimize mob violence by labeling businessmen with various labels.”

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Taskin Ahmed said, “Mob terrorism is destroying business confidence in important commercial areas like Motijheel, Gulshan and Tejgaon. This is affecting all types of businesses, both small and large, and economic activities are shrinking. The Dhaka Chamber believes that this crisis can be overcome only by stabilizing the law and order situation and organizing elections on time.”