‘Extortion in 22 places’ on coastal, inland waterways

Operators forced to pay up to Tk 22,000 per vessel

Operators of cargo vessels have to face problems like extortion, terrorism and piracy on coastal and inland waterways. According to sources, plying from Sunamganj’s Chhatak to Khulna, an operator of a cargo vessel has to pay at least Tk 20,000-22,000 per vessel as extortion. Such illegal activities are taking place on the Chhatak-Sunamganj, Chhatak-Ashuganj and Chhatak-Khulna river routes, sources said.  Extortion is also collected in the outer anchorage of Chattogram’s Kutubdia area.

Besides, vested quarters in the name of different organisations, including the police, are also carrying out extortion in Narayanganj, Meghna, Mukterpur and Sadarghat areas, the sources added. Against this backdrop, the government has taken steps to stop such illegal activities. It has asked the Bangladesh River Police and Bangladesh Coast Guard to take necessary steps to prevent the malpractice.

“Extortion money is collected in the name of different organisations. Such illegal activities are taking place at 22 places on coastal and inland waterways,” Chowdhury Ashikul Alam, general secretary of the Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation (BNSF) told The Independent on Thursday. He said about Tk 20,000-22,000 has to be paid per cargo vessel to reach Khulna from Chhatak of Sunamganj district.

“If anybody refuses to pay up, members of vested groups attack vessel crews and vandalise the vessel,” Alam said. Sometimes, extortion groups create panic through acts like piracy on the waterways, he added. He said: “Extortion collectors even mercilessly beat up vessel crews if they refuse to pay the money demanded.”

In the name of fake workers’ organisations and police, they collect money by putting pressure on cargo vessel operators, he added. The Department of Shipping (DoS) has issued letters to departments concerned, seeking assistance to stop such illegal activities by taking legal actions against the extortionists.

“During a meeting with the director general of the Department of Labour on December 1, BNSF leaders demanded that the extortion racket be stopped. The meeting assured water transport workers that the government will take steps,” director general of the DoS, Commodore Syed Ariful Islam, said. As per the decision of the meeting, he wrote to departments concerned, asking them to take legal steps against the extortionists to ensure safe journey for cargo vessels.

“We have sought cooperation, especially from the River Police and Coast Guard, to stop extortion on waterways. We have also requested them to take legal action,” the DoS chief said. When contacted, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the River Police, Atiqul Islam, said: “Our force is working on different water routes. We will definitely take legal action if the BNSF leaders specify the names of the extortionists.”

He, however, denied that such illegal activities were going on. When told that BNSF leaders have alleged that the police are also involved in extortion, he said: “Many carry out illegal activities in the garb of policemen. The allegation is baseless. We will file cases against perpetrators if anyone can submit specific names that he or she is involved in illegal activities on waterways.”

Extortion in 22 places on coastal, inland waterways

Operators forced to pay up to Tk 22,000 per vessel

Operators of cargo vessels have to face problems like extortion, terrorism and piracy on coastal and inland waterways. According to sources, plying from Sunamganjs Chhatak to Khulna, an operator of a cargo vessel has to pay at least Tk 20,000-22,000 per vessel as extortion. Such illegal activities are taking place on the Chhatak-Sunamganj, Chhatak-Ashuganj and Chhatak-Khulna river routes, sources said. Extortion is also collected in the outer anchorage of Chattograms Kutubdia area. Besides, vested quarters in the name of different organisations, including the police, are also carrying out extortion in Narayanganj, Meghna, Mukterpur and Sadarghat areas, the sources added. Against this backdrop, the government has taken steps to stop such illegal activities. It has asked the Bangladesh River Police and Bangladesh Coast Guard to take necessary steps to prevent the malpractice. Extortion money is collected in the name of different organisations. Such illegal activities are taking place at 22 places on coastal and inland waterways, Chowdhury Ashikul Alam, general secretary of the Bangladesh Noujan Sramik Federation (BNSF) told The Independent on Thursday. He said about Tk 20,000-22,000 has to be paid per cargo vessel to reach Khulna from Chhatak of Sunamganj district. If anybody refuses to pay up, members of vested groups attack vessel crews and vandalise the vessel, Alam said. Sometimes, extortion groups create panic through acts like piracy on the waterways, he added. He said: Extortion collectors even mercilessly beat up vessel crews if they refuse to pay the money demanded. In the name of fake workers organisations and police, they collect money by putting pressure on cargo vessel operators, he added. The Department of Shipping (DoS) has issued letters to departments concerned, seeking assistance to stop such illegal activities by taking legal actions against the extortionists. During a meeting with the director general of the Department of Labour on December 1, BNSF leaders demanded that the extortion racket be stopped. The meeting assured water transport workers that the government will take steps, director general of the DoS, Commodore Syed Ariful Islam, said. As per the decision of the meeting, he wrote to departments concerned, asking them to take legal steps against the extortionists to ensure safe journey for cargo vessels. We have sought cooperation, especially from the River Police and Coast Guard, to stop extortion on waterways. We have also requested them to take legal action, the DoS chief said. When contacted, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the River Police, Atiqul Islam, said: Our force is working on different water routes. We will definitely take legal action if the BNSF leaders specify the names of the extortionists. He, however, denied that such illegal activities were going on. When told that BNSF leaders have alleged that the police are also involved in extortion, he said: Many carry out illegal activities in the garb of policemen. The allegation is baseless. We will file cases against perpetrators if anyone can submit specific names that he or she is involved in illegal activities on waterways.