Extortion from vehicles rampant in Thakurgaon
The malpractice ahead of Eid adds to prices of commodities
Men of a transport workers' association bargain with a truck driver for the toll money that they regularly collect from heavy vehicles on Thakurgaon-Dhaka highway in the name of so-called welfare fund. The photo was taken from near Ejab Cold Storage in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila on Wednesday.Photo: STAR
Illegal toll collection by a section of transport workers and dishonest traffic policemen from vehicles at different points in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila has appeared as a nuisance ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr. "I have given Tk 800 as toll while bringing my goods-laden truck through the highway from Tangail at different points in different districts," truck driver Rafiqul Islam told this correspondent on Thakurgaon-Dhaka highway in front of Ejab Cold Storage near the BGB Battalion Headquarters. "We are forced to pay toll at many points. Even after maintaining all documents properly, we have to face harassment by police who demand money. There is none to look after the matter," said Liton Mian, another truck driver who was coming from Chittagong. Visiting the area on Wednesday, this correspondent saw a group of members of Thakurgaon Distinct Truck, Tank-Lorry and Covered Van Workers' Union forcing every truck coming from both sides on the highway to give Tk 20 in the name of workers' welfare fund. The money collectors were also giving receipts to the drivers. Kamal Hossain, vice president of Thakurgaon Distinct Truck, Tank-Lorry and Covered Van Workers' Union, claimed that their money collection is not illegal as they give receipt against the received money. He admitted that different groups of transport workers collect money from vehicles before each Eid. General Secretary of Thakurgaon District Transport Workers' Association, main platform of Thakurgaon transport workers, told this correspondent that they informed police to take action against those who collect illegal toll. When contacted, Gopal Chakrabarti, officer in charge of Thakurgaon police station, said, "Leaders of the workers' organisation came to us for permission to collect funds for welfare fund but we did not give any such permission. During the last two days police drove away several illegal money collectors." Md Hasan, a wholesaler of grocery items in Thakurgaon Station Road area, said the illegal toll adds to the carrying cost of their goods and ultimately the consumers have to bear the burden. Illegal toll collection by a section of dishonest traffic policemen rises before the Eid-ul-Fitr approaches. "Before any festival like Eid every year, the traffic constables stop vehicles and collect money in the name of checking licence, fitness certificates or other documents. Traffic Sergeant Farukh Hossain seized my tractor on Tuesday evening from Kalibai Bazar in the town and let it go the next morning after I gave Tk 500," said tractor driver Mofizul. If a driver or owner refuses to give money, policemen often seize their licence and registration documents or file cases against them on false charges, alleged several drivers. "We are forced to give money to release the documents," said a driver. Some dishonest traffic policemen especially target vehicles without route permit and other necessary documents for bribery, sources said. This correspondent saw a few tractors lying stranded beside the traffic sergeant's temporary office near the circuit house in the town yesterday afternoon. Asked about the allegation of taking toll from tractor drivers, traffic sergeant Farukh Hossain said over cell phone, "We do not take toll from tractor drivers. We seize the tractors as per decision of district law and order committee's meeting to resist movement of tractors or power trolleys in the town from 8:00am to 8:00pm." Abdul Ali, sociology teacher of a local college, said, "The unethical practice of charging tolls by traffic sergeants and constables leaves a bad influence on the mind of young people. Adequate punitive measures should be taken to resist the ill-practice."
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