Extortionists have again started returning to roads and highways in Cumilla in the last several days and collecting tolls from divers of different types of vehicles, including CNG-run auto-rickshaws, easy-bikes and microbuses.
When the Awami League government lost power on August 5following a student-led movement, transport extortion was stopped in every place of the district. This brings relief to the drivers of all categories of vehicles, including low-income CNG auto rickshaws, easy-bikes, microbuses and pick-ups.
However, the extortionists have become active on the roads and highways in Cumilla again in the last 5-6 days. A list of toll rates has been hung in Mainamati area of the district and collection of compulsory fees has been started again from small vehicles.
The drivers of those vehicles are now being beaten up if they protest. Like the rest of the country, Cumilla was not behind from the hands of transport extortion. Extortion in transportation was widespread in almost every place, including roads and highways, of Cumilla. But it was stopped after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government
But for the last 5-6 days, a group of extortionists is collecting extortion freely from every CNG-run auto rickshaw, easy bike, microbus and small-sized microbus from different places of Roads and Highways Department and Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Mainamati and other areas.
Several CNG-run auto rickshaw drivers, who did not want to be named, said the extortionists are forcing them to pay a sum of Tk 20 to Tk 60 depending on the distance for each trip, including a one-time Tk 100 per day from each CNG. The extortionists have also hung lists of toll rates at various places along the Mainamati Cantonment Board Road. Meanwhile, in the past, each easy bike driver paid a mandatory fee of Tk 40 for passenger transport in Mainamati area, but it has been stopped since August 5.
Sources said many microbuses, Maruti and CNG-run auto rickshaws are plying on Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Mainamati Cantonment area, Cumilla-Sylhet highway and Cantonment Cumilla Shasangachha, Paduar Bazar, Cantonment Chandina, Cantonment Debiddar, Companyganj routes.
Similarly, easy-bike is the only vehicle for movement of thousands of people from 15/20 villages on Sylhet Road from Mainamati Cantonment area. And a gang is extorting lakhs of taka daily from the mentioned vehicles plying on these highways. Drivers of easy-bikes have demanded immediate steps to stop extortion on the routes.
CNG-run auto rickshaw drivers Soleman and Jahangir, easy-bike drivers Gias and Siraj said the extortionists are taking the lion's share of their income.
A responsible circle on condition of anonymity said it is not understandable how the Cantonment Board allows collection of tolls on Dhaka-Chattogram and Cumilla-Sylhet highways under the Roads and Highways Department.
When asked about how the Cantonment Board allowed collection of tolls by leasing Mainamati area of the Roads and Highways Department, Suniti Chakma, executive engineer of Cumilla Roads and Highways Department, said, "We do repair and maintenance of the highway. Our people are not involved in any extortion on the highway. Those who are currently extorting money from vehicles will be controlled by law enforcers.”
When asked about the issue of extortion on the highway in Mainamati area, Cumilla Highway East Superintendent of Police Khairul Alam said a joint operation will be conducted soon to arrest the transport extortionists on the highway and legal action will be taken against them.
Cumilla Mainamati Cantonment Board's Tax Superintendent Sarwar said the Cantonment Board has leased the parking space on the side of the highway.
He said parking a vehicle on the highway and collecting toll from it is illegal.
