The police crackdown on syndicate thuggery following a prod from Mamata Banerjee has emboldened many victims of extortion and intimidation to speak out, although the fear of reprisal still keeps many from revealing their identities.

A day after actress and BJP state secretary Locket Chatterjee accused minister Aroop Biswas's brother Swarup of bringing syndicate raj to Tollywood, the owner of an F&B chain narrated to Metro his harassment at the hands of an extortion racket allegedly run by Swarup Biswas's men in the New Alipore neighbourhood.

Doing business in the New Alipore area has become a nightmare, especially over the past six months, because of the strong-arm tactics of Swarup Biswas and his men.

Whether you want to open a new outlet or renovate your existing one, or even if your home is in that area, you have to cough up a hefty amount to get anything done in your own property. I know for a fact that other eatery owners, apart from us, have been asked to shell out amounts varying from Rs 1 lakh to as much as Rs 5 lakh each to open outlets or make changes in their existing outlets in New Alipore. Many have backed out because of these demands.

The demands come from Swarup Biswas through his known accomplices like David. They all hide behind Swarup's brother Aroop Biswas and Swarup's wife Jui, who is the local councillor.

Generally, if you don't give in to their demands, they will create issues and threaten you with dire consequences. When we go to the cops, they say they can't do anything because Jui Biswas is the councillor.

Come Puja, they send you demands ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh-plus, and if you don't pay they will send men and force you to shut down your shop. They are capable of doing this.

This is totally hurting the economy and the image of our city. Like us, I know of four or five eatery owners who wanted to open outlets in New Alipore but haven't been able to. Some have backed out and some are stuck despite their outlets being ready to open.

Some of these chains employ over 100 people and provide employment and benefits such as PF and ESI to staff. These are professional organisations that pay taxes. These thugs don't seem to understand the damaging consequences of their actions. For the sake of their own personal gains, they are ready to damage the whole state.

Even people who live in the area are not spared. They have to pay up if they want to renovate their houses or want to do small construction work such as changing the marble flooring or tiles. Swarup sends a demand note through his accomplices to the extent of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh or more, depending on the kind of changes you are making. This is ridiculous!

They are always on the lookout for soft targets and even such a thing as changing a signboard, painting or minor renovation don't escape their eye. Many people we know have put their home and shop renovations on hold. Even sale of property is being affected in New Alipore.

I wish to remain anonymous because if they find out, they can do anything.

 

As told to Sibendu Das

Are you a victim of extortion in New Alipore? Tell ttmetro@abpmail.com