Khulna Plagued by Wave of Land Grabbing and Extortion Under Political Patronage

Photo Collected

A+ A A-

Khulna is grappling with a surge in systematic land grabbing and extortion, as criminal syndicates increasingly target railway properties, municipal development projects, and public infrastructure. Following the political transition in August 2024, the city has seen a resurgence of illicit activities, with reports indicating that state-owned land, river ports, and even medical facilities have been illegally occupied by groups often operating under the guise of political patronage.

According to municipal records and local sources, over 76 acres of railway land in Khulna remain under illegal occupation. Among the most notable incidents is the seizure of the railway physicians’ residence, locally known as “Doctor Bari,” which was systematically dismantled and converted into a row of commercial shops. Similar patterns of encroachment are evident across the city, from the Rupsha River ghats to the old railway station, where public land has been partitioned for unauthorized shops and semi-permanent structures.

Extortion has become a pervasive threat to local development, with contractors routinely targeted by criminal factions. Groups identified by law enforcement, such as the “B-Company” and “Ashik Bahini,” are accused of halting public works projects—including road construction and drainage development—unless substantial “protection fees” are paid. In one instance, a sub-contractor was abducted and assaulted by gang members after a development project failed to meet their financial demands, forcing city officials to intervene. Even when authorities are notified, contractors often refuse to file formal charges, fearing violent retaliation and the destruction of heavy machinery.

Jagannath University Honors Fallen Student Protesters at July Uprising Anniversary Commemoration

Read More

Police records in Khulna currently list 69 extortionists and 181 individuals involved in organized crime. Despite these figures, critics argue that the administration remains largely ineffective. Local observers, including representatives from the civil society group SHUJAN, suggest that the prevalence of these crimes stems from a nexus between criminal elements, corrupt administrative officials, and local political figures. While political leaders deny any formal association with these groups, reports indicate that several individuals linked to criminal activity have secured positions within local party committees.

The climate of fear has left residents and business owners largely silent. While law enforcement officials state that they act upon receiving complaints, the lack of formal reports—driven by a profound lack of confidence in the state’s ability to guarantee security—leaves much of the criminal economy unchecked. As illegal construction continues on railway land and intimidation tactics plague municipal contractors, civil society advocates warn that the failure to dismantle these power structures is undermining the city’s overall stability and economic future.