DHAKA — Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has expressed deep concern over a series of incidents involving alleged land grabbing, extortion, vandalism and clashes linked to members of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), warning that failure to curb such activities could become a “bad omen” for the government and the party.
In a statement on Sunday, TIB called for proper investigations into the incidents and exemplary punishment for those found responsible. The organisation also urged the ruling party to launch an effective nationwide campaign to address misconduct within its ranks.
TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman described the alleged looting, vandalism and forcible occupation of the Radda MCH-FP Health Centre in Mirpur as an “embarrassing example” for the government and ruling party.
He questioned what message such incidents send to the public when a charitable organisation that has provided healthcare to poor and vulnerable mothers and children for around half a century is allegedly attacked in the presence of police and hundreds of people.
According to TIB, media reports indicate that the incident was allegedly carried out under the patronage of a member of parliament elected to a reserved seat.
Iftekharuzzaman also referred to allegations of land grabbing, extortion and attempts to establish control by a section of BNP leaders and activists since August 2024. He said such allegations had emerged in connection with bus terminals, footpaths, markets, water bodies, sand quarries, bazaars, cable and internet businesses, and waste-collection activities in different parts of the country.
He said disputes over control of such activities had in some cases led to internal conflicts and violence among party members.
TIB cited clashes between two local BNP factions over the occupation of a water body in Kishoreganj, as well as the vandalism of a creative studio, as examples of what it described as a continuing pattern rather than isolated incidents.
The organisation further alleged that extortion had taken various forms, including daily, monthly and one-off collections, and expressed concern that such practices were becoming increasingly normalised.
Iftekharuzzaman warned that failure to take effective corrective measures could allow land grabbing and extortion to spiral beyond the government’s ability to control them.
He said that although the party had taken organisational measures, including expulsions in some cases, stronger preventive action was still needed. He also alleged that the direct or indirect political links of some individuals accused of such activities had made it difficult for law enforcement agencies to take effective action.
TIB said the developments raised concerns about the possible return of a culture of arbitrariness, corruption, irregularities and impunity.
The anti-corruption watchdog urged the authorities to investigate each incident thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice.
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