In Tongi, Gazipur, Shamim Khan, known as “Cassette Shamim,” and his associates have been accused of collecting about Tk15 lakh monthly from shops occupying footpaths and road space along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway. The report, published on August 22, 2026, says roughly 240 to 250 clothing, nursery, vegetable, shoe, fish and dried-fish shops have been set up near the Tongi-Abdullahpur connecting Bailey Bridge.

Traders said they pay Tk150 to Tk300 daily depending on the shop, with about Tk50,000 allegedly collected each day from the Bailey Bridge area alone. Local residents alleged that Tongi East police were managed through payments, an allegation police denied. Shamim said temporary shops were placed beside the Turag bank to recover lease money and that each shop pays Tk100 to Tk150, not more.

City corporation official Md Jahirul Islam said the highway footpath is not included in the market lease and warned of legal action over public suffering. Roads and Highways official Mohammad Anwar Hossain Khan said notices had been issued repeatedly and an eviction drive would be conducted soon. Police said regular operations remove shops, but they return after a short time.