A disturbing video of two business leaders being publicly assaulted with machetes outside ECS Computer City (Multiplan Center) on Dhaka’s Elephant Road has gone viral on social media. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, shortly after a protest and human chain organized by traders.
The video shows 4-5 masked assailants attacking Ehtesamul with machetes while 6-7 others stood nearby. Ehtesamul, struck multiple times, fell to the ground and attempted to get up but was repeatedly assaulted. Eventually, he collapsed on the road as the attackers fled after about two minutes. Pedestrians and vehicles were seen passing by, but no one intervened to stop the attackers.
Traders allege the attack stemmed from disputes over committee control, water and internet supply, parking and footpath encroachment, and resistance to extortion. On Saturday, business owners protested on Elephant Road, demanding justice for the attack.
Speaking at the protest, ECS Vice-President Md. Nazrul Islam Hazarai condemned the violence, stating, “This heinous attack has left us stunned. The perpetrators aim to disrupt the peace and security of our market. However, they will never succeed in intimidating us. We will not bow down to these terrorists and will stand united. We will also mobilize public opinion against such activities through media and other platforms.”
Traders accused Awami League-affiliated businessman Toufik Ehsan and his associates of controlling the Multiplan Center Traders’ Association without elections for 15 years, with Toufik serving as president. Following the Awami League government’s ouster on August 5 by student and public uprisings, traders became vocal against the committee, leading Toufik and his associates to flee. On August 13, a new 13-member convening committee was formed, with Zahidul Islam as convenor, Wahidul as senior joint convenor, and Ehtesamul as joint convenor.
Zahidul Islam alleged that Toufik’s group embezzled approximately Tk 50 crore from the association during their tenure and took away all records while fleeing. He added, “After August 5, some individuals attempted to encroach on the footpath outside the market. The current committee leaders opposed them, and Wahidul and Ehtesamul received threats over disputes regarding water and internet supplies, as well as parking rights. These could be motives behind the attack.”
Assistant Commissioner of New Market Zone Police Tariq Latif confirmed the incident and said CCTV footage showed 10-12 people involved in the attack, with one or two already identified. “For the sake of the investigation, we cannot reveal their identities. We are thoroughly probing three angles: business rivalry, issues within the traders’ association, and possible extortion,” he stated.
New Market Police Station has registered a case filed by Wahidul Hasan on Saturday night, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend all those involved.
