Violent Clashes Erupt Over Bus Stand Extortion Dispute

A violent confrontation involving improvised explosive devices and physical assaults occurred on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, at the Tegharia bus stand in South Keraniganj, Dhaka. The conflict, which erupted during the afternoon hours along the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, resulted in injuries to at least six individuals and caused widespread panic across the locality.

According to police and hospital records, four of the injured have been identified as Md. Malek Gazi (53), Md. Shaheen (30), Md. Sajjad Hossain (22), and Mahmud Hasan (27). The victims received medical attention shortly after the skirmish subsided. Following the violence, law enforcement authorities confirmed that a formal criminal case has been registered at the South Keraniganj Police Station.

Dispute Over Illegal Levies and Operations

The Tegharia bus stand has long been a focal point for disputes regarding the collection of illegal levies. Local sources indicate that buses are frequently stopped at this location without official authorisation to board or deboard passengers. Allegations suggest that a fixed rate of extortion is collected from every vehicle, amounting to several hundred thousand BDT per month.

Md. Mizan, an employee at the bus stand, provided a statement regarding the immediate cause of the Wednesday afternoon clash. He alleged that associates of an individual named Rifat Molla had been demanding a “toll” of 100 BDT whenever a bus boarded extra passengers or loaded surplus cargo. Mizan claimed that any opposition to these demands was met with verbal abuse and intimidation. According to his account, the violence began when Rifat Molla’s associates attacked a transport counter, prompting counter-staff to intervene.

Conflicting Claims and Political Allegations

Rifat Molla has explicitly denied the allegations of extortion, presenting a conflicting narrative of the events. He asserted that the attack was a premeditated strike orchestrated by local political figures. Rifat claimed that he operates a legitimate counter at the stand and has been under sustained pressure from a specific group to vacate the premises.

According to Rifat’s version of events, the conflict began when his employees arrived at the bus stand on two motorcycles and were intercepted by a group led by an individual identified as Md. Bishal. Rifat further alleged that when he attempted to seek legal recourse at the South Keraniganj Police Station, he was forcibly ejected by 20 to 30 individuals, including Mehedi Hasan Samrat and Zahirul Islam, whom he identified as political activists. He also claimed that the attackers seized his two high-value motorcycles during the melee. Rifat maintained that his family has a long history with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and that he had previously been incarcerated for his political affiliations.

Political Response and Police Intervention

Following the reports of violence, Advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury, President of the South Keraniganj Thana BNP, visited the site of the confrontation. Speaking to members of the press, she clarified that the police had been previously alerted to the ongoing extortion at the Tegharia bus stand. She disputed Rifat Molla’s claims of party affiliation, asserting that he is not a member of the BNP and was, in fact, the aggressor in the attack on party activists. She stated that there would be no tolerance for extortionists or terrorists within the Keraniganj area.

Saiful Islam, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of South Keraniganj Police Station, confirmed that additional police personnel were deployed to the bus stand to restore order and prevent further escalation. He noted that the dispute over the control of the bus stand had been simmering between the two factions for a considerable period.

OC Saiful Islam confirmed that a case has been filed by Md. Bishal regarding the incident. He stated that while improvised explosives (locally known as “cocktails”) were detonated during the clash, the police are still working to verify which faction was responsible for the explosions. A thorough investigation is currently underway to identify the perpetrators and proceed with necessary legal actions. Police patrols remain active in the Tegharia area to maintain the safety of the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway transport hub.