Factory vandalised, goods looted in Rupganj after alleged refusal to pay extortion

A manufacturing factory in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj was allegedly vandalised and looted after its owner refused to pay extortion money, raising alarm among local business operators.

The incident occurred on 17 February at BLO Wire Nail Industries in Noagaon village. The GI wire manufacturing factory is owned by physically challenged entrepreneur Monowar Hossain, also known as Opu (43). Established in 2020 on 10.5 decimals of land, the factory exports to 12 countries, including Switzerland and Germany, and operates with financial support from Bangladesh Krishi Bank.

Factory manager Oliullah Khan said a group of attackers stormed the premises, assaulted workers, carried out widespread vandalism, and used trucks to remove machinery and raw materials. Production remained suspended for two days after the attack and later resumed on a limited scale under the protection of industrial police.

According to factory authorities, local activists allegedly used the name of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Rupganj upazila president Mahfuzur Rahman Humayun to demand Tk 10 lakh as a one-time payment and Tk 1 lakh per month. The attack was allegedly carried out after the owner refused to comply.

Workers and residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said manager Oliullah Khan was assaulted and employee Julhas Uddin sustained injuries while trying to intervene. Both were admitted to Rupganj Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

The factory claimed that CCTV cameras were destroyed, furniture damaged, and goods worth about Tk 16.6 million, along with cash, were looted. A case has been filed against nine named individuals and 15–20 unidentified persons, with Rupganj BNP vice-president Belayet Akon listed as the prime accused.

Monowar Hossain alleged that police initially declined to accept the case unless Mahfuzur Rahman’s name was removed. He later submitted the complaint without naming him. However, Officer-in-Charge Md. Sabzel Hossain of Rupganj Police Station rejected the allegation, stating he had only advised that the complaint reflect accurate facts and did not request the exclusion of any specific individual.

Mahfuzur Rahman also denied any involvement, saying he does not know the factory owner and had not been informed of any extortion demand. He added that after receiving a call from the police station, he sent representatives to inquire about the matter and later learned they had been named in the case.

The factory owner further alleged that he has been receiving threats to withdraw the case. Police said no arrests have been made so far, investigations are ongoing, and the case may be transferred to another agency.

Commenting on the issue, Narayanganj district BNP president Mamun Mahmud said that if the allegations are proven, they would amount to a criminal offence and the party would not protect anyone involved, regardless of their political position.