Extortionists active on Kalapara-Kuakata highway in Patuakhali

Members of the group stop vehicles on the highway and force their occupants to pay up in the name of municipal tax or labour union fees.

A group of people are allegedly extorting money from trucks, pickups and tourist vehicles on the Kalapara-Kuakata highway in Patuakhali.

 Members of the group are said to stop vehicles on the highway and force their occupants to pay up in the name of municipal tax or labour union fees. But neither police nor the municipal authorities have taken any action against them.

It is common knowledge that once vehicles enter the Kuakata highway after crossing the Patuakhali toll plaza, tourist vehicles, trucks and pick-up vans are forced to pay extortion money.

Drivers requested the group to keep the sum to Tk 50, but its active members such as Rani, Rakib, Hanif, Rubel, Abu Saleh, Swapan, Masum, Raja, Khokan, Sohel and Alauddin refused to settle for the small amount.

They are even collecting toll from the goods-carrying vehicles of the Paira sea port and the thermal power plant in the name of labour union fees by blocking the entry point of the Four Lane Road.

According to Kalapara Municipality sources, vehicles entering the municipal areas have a defined payment schedule — big trucks have to pay Tk 100, medium trucks Tk 75, small pick-up trucks Tk 50, Mahindras Tk 30, motorised van or auto bike Tk 20, and Honda Tk 10.

But no such rule applies on the highway.

Khorshed Alam, driver of a soft-drink carrying pick-up van (Dhaka Metro-U-12-0843), said that on Monday, some workers from the bus stand of Chaurasta took Tk 100 in the name of labour union fees. Then, there was another group a few metres ahead. The gang demanded Tk 50 in the name of municipal tax. He said that the vehicle owner was not agreeable to paying money on the way.

Md Sohel, supervisor of a tourist bus, said he had been abused when he refused to pay.

Extortionists are openly collecting money from all types of vehicles such as tourist buses, micros and private cars in the Nachnapara Chaurasta and Chakamaya Bridge areas on the highway. The extortion racket has left drivers exasperated and angry.

Kalapara Transport Workers Union president and municipal councillor Al-Amin Sardar said that the collection of money from vehicles in the name of labour union fees was forbidden.

Mayor of Kalapara municipality Bipul Chandra Howlader said the municipality had fixed toll rates. Besides, municipal toll could not be collected from vehicles randomly by unauthorised persons.

Law enforcement agencies had been requested to take action against the extortionists, he added.

Extortionists active on Kalapara-Kuakata highway in Patuakhali

Members of the group stop vehicles on the highway and force their occupants to pay up in the name of municipal tax or labour union fees.

A group of people are allegedly extorting money from trucks, pickups and tourist vehicles on the Kalapara-Kuakata highway in Patuakhali. Members of the group are said to stop vehicles on the highway and force their occupants to pay up in the name of municipal tax or labour union fees. But neither police nor the municipal authorities have taken any action against them. It is common knowledge that once vehicles enter the Kuakata highway after crossing the Patuakhali toll plaza, tourist vehicles, trucks and pick-up vans are forced to pay extortion money. Drivers requested the group to keep the sum to Tk 50, but its active members such as Rani, Rakib, Hanif, Rubel, Abu Saleh, Swapan, Masum, Raja, Khokan, Sohel and Alauddin refused to settle for the small amount. They are even collecting toll from the goods-carrying vehicles of the Paira sea port and the thermal power plant in the name of labour union fees by blocking the entry point of the Four Lane Road. According to Kalapara Municipality sources, vehicles entering the municipal areas have a defined payment schedule big trucks have to pay Tk 100, medium trucks Tk 75, small pick-up trucks Tk 50, Mahindras Tk 30, motorised van or auto bike Tk 20, and Honda Tk 10. But no such rule applies on the highway. Khorshed Alam, driver of a soft-drink carrying pick-up van (Dhaka Metro-U-12-0843), said that on Monday, some workers from the bus stand of Chaurasta took Tk 100 in the name of labour union fees. Then, there was another group a few metres ahead. The gang demanded Tk 50 in the name of municipal tax. He said that the vehicle owner was not agreeable to paying money on the way. Md Sohel, supervisor of a tourist bus, said he had been abused when he refused to pay. Extortionists are openly collecting money from all types of vehicles such as tourist buses, micros and private cars in the Nachnapara Chaurasta and Chakamaya Bridge areas on the highway. The extortion racket has left drivers exasperated and angry. Kalapara Transport Workers Union president and municipal councillor Al-Amin Sardar said that the collection of money from vehicles in the name of labour union fees was forbidden. Mayor of Kalapara municipality Bipul Chandra Howlader said the municipality had fixed toll rates. Besides, municipal toll could not be collected from vehicles randomly by unauthorised persons. Law enforcement agencies had been requested to take action against the extortionists, he added.