Pre-Eid extortions need to be curbed

Eid-ul-Fitr is drawing near. Every year, this particular time sees various types of extortion stick out their ugly necks. This year is no exception. Although most of the operations resorted to by the criminals remain virtually out of public view, some occur openly and in broad daylight. One of them is the frightening technique used by the Bedey (water gypsies) women, especially the younger ones. These women are found targeting passersby, mostly male, for extorting money. Their style is unique. As a young or a middle-aged man walks along the footpath, one or two Bedey women abruptly appear before them. They don't ask for money. Instead, they silently thrust forward a small wooden box, its cover open, from which a creeper-like green snake sticks out its sleek head. In most cases, the victim is found taken aback. Then the woman or the women demand money, adding if refused they will release the snake on him. The frightened people do not waste time. They avoid the trouble by sparing a few bucks. That is how the intelligent and pragmatic people deal with the situation. But some bad-tempered people get into argument with the women. Yells and name-callings follow.

Although people avert trouble by giving away small amounts of money, this is blatant extortion. These Bedey women are found extorting people round the year. Around the pre-Eid times, they are seen in increased numbers in the busy parts of the capital. They also swoop on the passengers in cars stuck in jams. Members of the third sex become equally active around this time. Unlike the Bedey women, they begin behaving aggressively from the start. They move in groups and, if refused, pour the garbage of slang on the non-complying person. Perhaps Dhaka is the only big city in the world where these atrocious occurrences remain out of the precincts of legal action.

Ahmed Munir

Momenbagh, Dhaka