The Bangladesh Restaurant Owners' Association has issued a stern warning to authorities, declaring their intention to shut down all restaurants nationwide for a day if the ongoing harassment and extortion targeting their establishments are not halted.

Imran Hasan, the secretary general of the association, delivered the ultimatum during a press conference at the Nasrul Hamid Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Monday. He urged the authorities to cease the harassment and extortion, emphasizing that failure to do so would result in a unified closure of restaurants across the country.

The press conference aimed to address the mounting challenges faced by the restaurant sector, exacerbated by recent government raids following a fire incident in a Bailey Road building.

Hasan criticized the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), labeling it as the most corrupt organization in Bangladesh, and demanded a thorough investigation into all its officials. He highlighted instances of extortion by individuals from various agencies, including even a sub-inspector from a police station.

Regarding the closures of restaurants, Hasan noted that approximately 800 restaurants are currently shut down, with around 220-230 officially sealed, often without prior notice.

He further emphasized that restaurants are permitted to operate in commercial areas, citing Rajuk's DAB master plan, which encourages buildings with mixed uses.

Following the tragic fire on Bailey Road that claimed 46 lives, various government entities launched campaigns to uncover irregularities and criminal activities. While the city corporation continues its operations, other agencies seem to have concluded their raids.

In a pattern reminiscent of past incidents, government agencies attempted to deflect blame onto each other in the aftermath of the Bailey Road tragedy, similar to previous occurrences in Churihatta, Nimtoli, Siddik Bazar, Bangabazar, and Science Lab.