New Dhaka Times: Desk Report
In Paikgacha, Khulna district of Bangladesh, a fish farm businessman was brutally attacked for refusing to pay extortion money. According to local sources, Shafi Gazi and his followers had long been involved in crimes like land grabbing and extortion in the Katakhali Bazar area of the upazila. During Eid, the group demanded Tk 50,000 in extortion from local businessman Mizanur Rahman. When he refused to pay, the terrorists attacked his home on Eid night and severely injured him with sharp weapons.
Injured Mizanur Sardar was admitted to Paikgacha Upazila Health Complex. The next morning, enraged locals captured a member of the group named Anarul and beat him up, then set fire to Shafi Gazi’s house and two of his shops.
Police reported that seven local weapons and three empty bottles of foreign liquor were recovered during a raid at Shafi’s house. Local housewife Rupali Begum alleged that Shafi Gazi’s gang often staged armed parades at night, forcing many families to flee the area.
Local resident Mostafa Gazi said, “On May 30, I was threatened with death for protesting against extortion.”
President of the Katakhali Bazar Committee and BNP leader Asaduzzaman Moyna said, “Due to Shafi’s oppression, businessmen were fed up. That’s why the locals were forced to attack his house.”
Acting Officer-in-Charge of Paikgacha Police Station, Idrisur Rahman, stated that they visited the scene and deployed additional police to maintain control. The recovered weapons have been seized.
It is known that after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, Shafi Gazi became active in taking control of the area. Locals alleged that he formed an armed group, seized canals and leased fish farms, openly demanded extortion from shops, and became involved in various criminal activities. According to locals, there is no crime Shafi’s gang hasn’t committed.