Syndicate extorts truckers at Burimari land port

A syndicate has continued forcing transport workers to pay huge illegal toll for loading and unloading imported and exported goods at Burimari land port in Patgram upazila under the district, despite the shipping minister's warning against the malpractice during his visit there on October 18.

A syndicate run by an Awami League leader collects Tk 3,000 to 5,000 as illegal toll against each truck, transport workers said, adding that they face threat of prohibition of entry into the land port, even physical harassment, if anyone declines to meet the demand.

The organised syndicate illegally collects about Tk 5 to 6 lakh from 200 to 220 trucks daily, and the money is shared by the toll collectors, transport leaders, and a section of people belonging to law enforcement agencies, customs department and land port authorities, said sources of Burimari land port.

"I can load and unload goods in the land port only if I pay illegal toll to the syndicate," said Jahirul Islam, 44, a truck driver from Rangpur.

"We hoped that we won't have to pay illegal toll after Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan ordered stern action against such malpractice during his visit here on October 18, but the situation has remained as before," said another truck driver Badiul Islam, 45, from Bogra.

Mithu Islam, 40, an importer and exporter at the land port, said the illegal toll collection has led to increase in fare of vehicles for loading imported goods.

On November 12, the matter of illegal toll collection from vehicles was discussed in the law and order committee meeting presided over by the deputy commissioner at his office. The meeting decided that the administration would take necessary steps to stop the illegal toll collection.

Seeking anonymity, a few security guards at the land port said they collect toll from transport workers as per the direction of their in-charge Ataur Rahman.

The money goes to the syndicate and then it is shared among many people, they said.

Asked about the matter, Ataur Rahman said, "We never demand illegal toll from any transport worker, we only receive what they give us willingly."

Rezaul Karim, officer in charge of Patgram Police Station, declined to talk regarding the matter.

ontacted, Md Hafizur Rahman, secretary of Kuakata municipality, said, "We could not meet demand of local people as allocation was very poor and we have to still struggle with various problems including manpower crisis and operational problems."