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Collecting money by showing elephants a common scene in Sirajganj


Published : 04 Aug 2022 08:30 PM

A huge elephant roams the streets of Sirajganj. Mahout sitting on the back. The elephant goes from one shop to another under the instructions of the mahout. Then the trunk is straight forward to the shopkeeper. The elephant does not move the trunk until money is piled on the trunk's head. This is the method of withdrawing money with elephants using novel techniques. Local businessmen, pedestrians and all were angry.

It can be seen that the mahouts are collecting money with elephants in various places including Hamkuria Chowrasta Bazar, Dobila, Ghargram Bazar of Tarash Upazila. Starting from minimum 10 taka up to 100 taka depending on the type of shop. This mahout is seen to collect money not only from shops but also by blocking the way of various vehicles plying on the road.

An elephant suddenly came to a tea shop in Hamkuria Chowrasta area of Magurabinod Union of the upazila and advanced its trunk. Immediately the tea shopkeeper put 10 taka on the trunk of the elephant. 

When asked the reason for paying the money, the shopkeeper said, 'If you don't pay, you can't go. Moreover, Deri often vandalizes. That's why I gave the money before there was a problem.

Elephant mahout Amirul Islam said, "Everyone happily gives some money for the maintenance of elephants." If someone gives money happily, how can it be extortion.'

 Lecturer Ershad Adeeb said that sometimes elephants are brought from different areas and collected. There is no one to see the matter. Elephants collect money from every shop. The elephant is not removed from the shop until the money is paid. Many times women buyers are scared of elephants. Traders and pedestrians have to suffer irony.

Mukul, a local school student, said that students, pedestrians and other vehicles cannot pass through the road where elephants walk. 

The mahout is sitting on his back. And the extortion is going on under the orders of this mahout.