The two controlled the area's extortion rackets but even after they were killed, there has been no respite for local businessmen.

"The extortionists are very powerful and they have been active for a long time with help from the police. They have even filed a false case and had my brother, who is the general secretary of Ekota fish wholesale market, arrested as he protested against the extortion. The situation is tense at the moment," said a wholesaler.

The wholesalers alleged that the death of Shahabuddin, who was once the president of Karwan Bazar kitchen market committee, was the result of an internal feud between members and extortionists.

"The committee members are always in negotiation with the extortionists and also profit from the extorted money," said another wholesaler.

Businessmen of Karwanbazar wholesale market had hoped that the presence of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the death of the two gang leaders would put an end to their miseries but it did never happened.

Fish wholesalers each used to pay Tk 160 everyday to the market committee as 'protection' toll before 'Pichchi' Hannan died. The committee reportedly paid a part of that amount to Hannan.

"We are still paying the same amount to the committee as other extortionists have stepped into the shoes of their deceased leaders," said a fish wholesaler.

Most wholesalers this correspondent spoke to said Shahjahan Siraj Shaju and Nurul Islam were now collecting tolls in the name of protecting them from extortionists.

"Extortionists are taking the tolls promising the wholesalers protection from extortion!" said one businessman.

The extortionists even make the wholesalers pay a toll for using the roads around the market during loading and unloading.

"Whenever we keep goods on the road in front of the kitchen market, we have to give them a certain amount for using the space. Children are employed to keep watch on the space. The real extortionists never show themselves," said a vegetable wholesaler.

Businessmen who come to the market from different parts of the country are also targets of extortionists.

"We cannot hire a truck in this area. We have to pay the extortionists Tk1500 to arrange a truck and also have to pay the truck's rent which is another 500 Taka atleast," said a wholesaler.

The systematic and silent extortion in Karwanbazar is affecting the prices.

"Because of the extortion, many wholesalers are going out of business and the price is also pushing upwards," said a wholesaler at the fish market.