Transport workers protest extortion

Several hundred transport workers put up barricade on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Tongi Station Road area for two hours protesting alleged extortion by Juba League activists from trucks and others vehicles.
They also at a rally demanded the release of two transport leaders allegedly picked up by Juba League activists.
Local Juba League activists locked in a clash with the blockade supporters and chase and counter chase took place in the area over the issue. All types of vehicles came to a halt on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and Tongi –Kamarpara Road and there was seen a long tailback on the busy highway.
As a result, JSC examinees, office bound passengers and general public suffered a lot.  They withdrew the blockade after police rescued the two kidnapped labour leaders.  The rescued leaders were identified as Jalal Uddin and Sultan Gazi. Truck and Covered Van Sramik Union Gazipur district unit  sources alleged that local Juba League activists exploiting the name of the organisation realise Tk90 from each of the trucks and Tk200 from each of the buses and containers per day through fake receipt as toll.  Besides, they also collect Tk90 from each truck and Tk 200 from each bus and container in the name of security and parking bill.
Sramik Union leaders alleged that local Juba League leaders have been collecting forcibly thousands of taka from different vehicles every day illegally through printed receipts without using the name of any organisation.  
If any transport workers do not want to pay the demanded toll, the Juba League leaders beat drivers and workers.  On Wednesday, when some workers refused to pay the money, some of the Juba League leaders attacked the workers in the Station Road area.  Informed, Vice president of Gazipur district Truck Sramik Union Jalal Uddin and executive member Sultan Gazi went to the spot around 7 am.  When they reached the spot, Juba League leaders created panic in the area opening fire and exploding crude bombs.  At one stage, they alleged picked up Jalal Uddin and Sultan Gazi.  When the news spread among the transport workers, they went to the spot with sticks and chased the Juba League leaders and activists.  A clash took place between the two groups. Transport workers put up barricade on the Dhaka –Mymensing highway and Tongi-Kamarpara road.
They took control of the highway and staged a demonstration on the demanding immediate release of their two kidnapped leaders.  On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control and rescued the two transport leaders.  
Then the transport workers withdrew their blockade programme. While contacted, president of Gazipur district Truck Sramik Union Abdur Rashid said goods- laden trucks from the different parts of the country gathered in Tongi as entry of such vehicle into the capital was stopped.

Transport workers protest extortion

Several hundred transport workers put up barricade on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Tongi Station Road area for two hours protesting alleged extortion by Juba League activists from trucks and others vehicles. They also at a rally demanded the release of two transport leaders allegedly picked up by Juba League activists. Local Juba League activists locked in a clash with the blockade supporters and chase and counter chase took place in the area over the issue. All types of vehicles came to a halt on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and Tongi Kamarpara Road and there was seen a long tailback on the busy highway. As a result, JSC examinees, office bound passengers and general public suffered a lot. They withdrew the blockade after police rescued the two kidnapped labour leaders. The rescued leaders were identified as Jalal Uddin and Sultan Gazi. Truck and Covered Van Sramik Union Gazipur district unit sources alleged that local Juba League activists exploiting the name of the organisation realise Tk90 from each of the trucks and Tk200 from each of the buses and containers per day through fake receipt as toll. Besides, they also collect Tk90 from each truck and Tk 200 from each bus and container in the name of security and parking bill. Sramik Union leaders alleged that local Juba League leaders have been collecting forcibly thousands of taka from different vehicles every day illegally through printed receipts without using the name of any organisation. If any transport workers do not want to pay the demanded toll, the Juba League leaders beat drivers and workers. On Wednesday, when some workers refused to pay the money, some of the Juba League leaders attacked the workers in the Station Road area. Informed, Vice president of Gazipur district Truck Sramik Union Jalal Uddin and executive member Sultan Gazi went to the spot around 7 am. When they reached the spot, Juba League leaders created panic in the area opening fire and exploding crude bombs. At one stage, they alleged picked up Jalal Uddin and Sultan Gazi. When the news spread among the transport workers, they went to the spot with sticks and chased the Juba League leaders and activists. A clash took place between the two groups. Transport workers put up barricade on the Dhaka Mymensing highway and Tongi-Kamarpara road. They took control of the highway and staged a demonstration on the demanding immediate release of their two kidnapped leaders. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control and rescued the two transport leaders. Then the transport workers withdrew their blockade programme. While contacted, president of Gazipur district Truck Sramik Union Abdur Rashid said goods- laden trucks from the different parts of the country gathered in Tongi as entry of such vehicle into the capital was stopped.