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The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has been asked to take necessary action to ensure safety of the businessmen and investigate the issue of silent extortion in and around the shopping complexes in the capital, report UNB..
State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar made the plea during a meeting with the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners' Association (DMSOA) at the home min istry's conference room Sunday, where businessmen alleged that they were terrified of silent extortion and hijacking.
The meeting was called to exchange views on the security issues taken for the shopping complexes of the city during the time of Ramadan and Durga Puja.
At the meeting, Babar said shop and market owners should come forward and extend their hands to help the ministry in solving the problematic issues properly for a safe environment for business.
He said it is urgent to install close circuit TV(CCTV) cameras, a metal security door and hand held metal detectors for their own safety as well as for their customers.
The ministry has so far forwarded letters to a number of 590 shopping complexes and banks in the city to instal the security equipment but only 190 of them have taken necessary steps following the letters.
In order to fight the extortionists and hijackers, Babar requested the businessmen to provide information about the places and the gangs to the law enforcers.
They could also submit a complaint to the Ministry's Complaint Cell so that law enforcers would be able to take necessary action.
When the minister was asked about the eviction of the hawkers from the city's footpaths, he said, "We are considering the hawker issue from a humanitarian point of view. Like others, they have an Eid to celebrate after Ramadan… so we would only remove them from those points of the city which are creating problem for free traffic movement," he said.
Regarding the request for the withdrawal of illumination from the shopping complexes, he said, "Following the Prime Minister's requests, the shop owners have informed us that they would switch off such lights to reduce pressure on the power supply in the city."
Babar told reporters that the ministry would hold a meeting soon with the city market owners to talk about the issue of illumination.
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