Newly appointed Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman yesterday said the DMP is capable of rooting out any syndicate behind the price hike of essentials.

"At Karwan Bazar, the price of a Tk 50 product goes up to Tk 100 after changing hands…. We have to identify those who are behind this," he said.

Habibur was speaking at a views-exchange meeting with representatives from the commerce ministry, Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), Dhaka north and south city corporations and different business bodies at the DMP headquarters.

He said police will work together with all stakeholders and if necessary, the law enforcers will also participate in drives with them.

"There is no shortage of any commodity in the markets. But some crises are created by vested quarters."

The DMP chief said goods used to get stuck and rot at Daulatdia Ghat, but this does not happen anymore due to Padma Bridge.

Replying to a query from a journalist, Habibur said there is no specific risk of instability in the market ahead of the general election.

"Possibly, there is a lack of coordination. The market monitoring system cannot be controlled either by the consumer rights directorate or the police alone."

Commodity prices depend on the supply and demand, he said, adding that the supply is sufficient now.

Responding to another query, the DMP boss said it was not clear to them whether any politically motivated activities were fueling the syndicates.

"The DMP is active against syndicates. If we find anything like this, we are capable of breaking those," he warned.

Representatives of police and DNCRP suggested traders at different levels keep receipts.

A trader, however, argued that if extortion of truckers on roads could be stopped, the prices of essentials would come down significantly.

A top DMP official said if anyone stops goods-carrying trucks on roads, police will take punitive actions against that person.