‘End extortion by transport leaders’

Auto-bike drivers staged a sit-in programme at Thakurgaon intersection in the town yesterday, demanding an end to extortion by transport leaders.

They organised the programme under the banner of Thakurgaon District Easy-bike Workers’ Union. 

Speakers at the programme said a driver has to pay Tk 10 at each point in the town every day. Some drivers even have to pay up to Tk 40.

Auto-bike Sramik Kalyan Society in Thakurgaon collects Tk 50,000 from 5,000 auto-bike drivers daily in the name of giving toll to the municipality, said the speakers.

They also urged the municipal authority to collect Tk 300 as license renewal fees instead of Tk 650.

To get relieve from the toll collection, they urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps in this regard. 

The speakers also threatened to launch tougher agitation programmes if their demand is not met by December 2.    

Mahabub Alam Rubel, president of Thakurgaon Easy-bike Workers’ Union, and its General Secretary Abu Aslam Labu spoke.