Kamrangirchar (Dhaka) Correspondent:
Local businessmen and families are suffering greatly due to extortion and various forms of torture by the hijras in Kamrangirchar of the capital. It has now become an everyday occurrence for them to come in groups to markets, shops or homes and demand money forcibly when they hear news of a newborn baby.
Local businessmen said that if they do not pay regularly, they harass the shops, misbehave with the customers, and even threaten to vandalize the shops. This is causing the businessmen to spend their days in anxiety and worry.
On the other hand, families with newly born children are also in panic. According to family sources, if the hijras do not pay the money, they resort to various types of insulting behavior, including abusive language and intimidation. As a result, these families have to spend their happy moments in fear and anxiety.
Ordinary people in the area complain that every day someone or the other is a victim of their rudeness and insults. If someone refuses to pay, they join forces and use various gestures to disrespect them. This has made the daily life of the locals miserable.
It has been alleged that even many men are involved in this extortion business by dressing up as hijras and earning lakhs of taka. Especially on Eid or special days of the year, they dress up in colorful clothes and go around the area in groups and demand extra money from shops. 500 to 1,000 taka is forcibly collected. If someone wants to pay less, he has to be abused and insulted in inaudible language.
The victims said that it is important for the administration to take an effective role to end this situation quickly. They claim that it is not possible to get rid of this problem unless the law enforcement agencies take urgent action.