Interior Minister Salahuddin Ahmed Vows Crackdown on Extortionists Targeting Professionals Following Attack on Surgeon
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Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has ordered law enforcement agencies to immediately apprehend identified extortionists, terrorists, and drug traffickers, warning that officers will face disciplinary action for any failure to execute these directives. The Minister issued the ultimatum while visiting Professor Asadur Rahman, the head of the Ear, Nose, and Throat department at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, who was hospitalized following a violent attack.
Professor Rahman was assaulted on the night of August 17 after leaving the Popular Diagnostic Center in the Shantinagar area of the capital. The attackers intercepted his CNG-run autorickshaw and severely injured his eyes. The professor reported that he had previously received extortion demands for 15,000 U.S. dollars in the name of David Emon, a notorious figure in Chittagong, followed by further threats after the assault.
The Minister confirmed that law enforcement and the Detective Branch have arrested four suspects in connection with the attack—one in Laxmipur, two in Dhaka, and one at the scene. He noted that a organized crime syndicate is systematically targeting wealthy individuals, professionals, physicians, and engineers by sending threatening messages to extort money. According to the investigation, the primary suspect behind the attack on Professor Rahman was involved in illicit hundi trading and resorted to organized extortion after suffering financial losses in his business.
Addressing concerns of systemic corruption, the Minister stated that the government is compiling a list of law enforcement personnel potentially colluding with these extortion rings. He emphasized that authorities are committed to eradicating these criminal syndicates, whom he accused of using the names of known godfathers and hardened criminals to enrich themselves rapidly.
To bolster the security of the healthcare sector, the government is deploying ten Ansar members to each of the country’s 500 hospitals. Minister Ahmed also advised doctors who feel threatened at their private chambers to report their concerns directly to the police. Regarding personal security, he stated that physicians may apply for firearm licenses under existing laws, and such requests would be treated with priority if safety concerns are verified.
Responding to inquiries about the cancellation of a cultural event in Brahmanbaria, the Minister noted that the local environment and longstanding social sensitivities necessitated the decision to prevent potential unrest.
The Minister was accompanied during his hospital visits by Social Welfare Minister A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, Inspector General of Police Md. Ali Hossain Fakir, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, and other high-ranking officials. Following his visit to the medical college, the Minister visited Dr. A.K.M. Aminul Haque at Anwar Khan Modern Hospital, who had also been targeted by the same extortion syndicate.
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