A section of cops and armed goons are still taking extortion from goods-laden trucks on different roads and highways across the country. Transport costs are increasing while the prices of essential commodities are also still skyrocketing as extortion is continuing unabated.
Earlier police headquarters ordered the field level cops not to stop or impede vehicles carrying goods on the roads and highways without any specific complaint or information. Besides, cops were also asked not to harass the goods-laden trucks and covered-vans in the name of checking their document papers. Therefore, no vehicle carrying goods on highways or roads can be stopped without any specific complaint or information. But the traders and transport workers have alleged that they are still being forced to give extortion money on different highways.
Prices of essential commodities
will be stable if extortion on highways
is stopped
Apart from a 15 tons vegetable laden truck’ fare taka 15000 from Bogura to capital Dhaka’s Kawran Bazar, a trader is paying taka 1050 at ten points. A trader has also to pay taka 2000 to police after entering capital from other parts of the country, says an intelligence report. Therefore, one kilogram green chili or brinjal are being sold at three to four times higher than at field level market price. Not only green chili and brinjal but the prices of all vegetables and other essential commodities increase this way.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said prices of essential commodities will be stable if extortion on the highways is stopped. The commerce minister also talked to the home minister about taking action against the extortionists who collect toll from truckers transporting daily essentials.
Despite the preventive measures against extortion, traders are still facing multi-phased and wide-scale extortion by criminals and a section of corrupt law enforcers. It is alleged that a number of highway policemen and police sergeants are involved in realising toll money from Dhaka-bound trucks and covered vans every day. Therefore, additional forces from Rapid Action Battalion and honest police will have to be deployed on highways while patrolling will have to be intensified alongside installation of check-posts.