Failure to control land grabbing, extortion warning sign for government: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern and outrage over the attack, vandalism and looting at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in the capital's Mirpur and the clash centring the grabbing of a water body (jalmahal) in Kishoreganj.

The organisation also called for ensuring exemplary accountability of those involved and for carrying out self-purification campaigns within political parties.

TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman made these remarks in a statement on Sunday, September 27.

In the statement, TIB claimed there are allegations of political patronage in the midnight attack, vandalism and looting at the Radda MCH-FP Centre. The organisation also noted that the incident, which allegedly occurred in the presence of police, is an embarrassing example for the government and the ruling party.

Iftekharuzzaman said such an attack and forcible occupation of an institution that has been providing healthcare to poor and helpless women and children for nearly half a century is extremely alarming. Such activities could have a negative impact on public trust in political parties and the government. Various allegations of land grabbing, extortion and dominance have been raised against a section of BNP leaders and activists since August 2024.

The organisation claimed that conflicts and clashes are also occurring among party leaders and activists themselves centring the grabbing and extortion of bus terminals, footpaths, markets, water bodies, sand quarries, haats and bazaars, cable and internet businesses and various other sectors.

Citing the clash between two factions of the local BNP over the grabbing of a jalmahal in Kishoreganj and the vandalism at a content creator's office as examples, TIB said these incidents are part of a series of events that occurred after the political changeover. However, the organisation also said it is necessary to identify the real culprits through an independent investigation into each of these allegations.

The TIB Executive Director said if there are allegations of land grabbing and extortion against leaders and activists of political parties, effective action must be taken under the law along with organisational measures. Otherwise, there is a risk of re-establishing a culture of arbitrariness, irregularities and impunity. Each incident must be properly investigated and those involved brought under exemplary punishment.