Exasperated with increasing extortion, the businesspersons of Karwan Bazar urged the government to rid them of the menace by taking stern action against the extortionists.

About 5,000 Karwan Bazar businesspersons yesterday brought out a protest procession at the market. They demanded arrest and punishment of the extortionists, especially of Murgi Faruque and his accomplices.

Leaders of Karwan Bazar Market Federation alleged operatives of Faruque have killed seven businessmen -- Abbas, Manik, Faruq, Dano Mizan, Khokan, Jubo and Haru who failed to oblige them with money.

Faruque was the main associate of Pichchi Hannan, who was killed in a 'shootout' between Rab and his accomplices in Savar on August 6.

"Murgi Faruque and his accomplices have taken over after Pichchi Hannan's death," said Khan Mohammed Shahabuddin, general secretary of the federation.

Businesspersons had to give Tk 7,000 to extortionists for each truckload of tomatoes before Rab operations began, he said. Although the situation improved, the extortionists are back again ahead of the Eid, he added.

"They extorted Tk 25,000 from Yunus Patowary, a vegetable trader of the market, two days back and snatched two mobile phones from traders Kalimullah and Abdul Kader yesterday," said Nabi Solaiman, president of the federation.

The leaders hailed Rab activities to eliminate crimes from the country.