Extortion in the transportation of goods on roads and highways is not a new phenomenon in Bangladesh. Traders have to pay a toll at different spots. The party leaders and workers take money in broad daylight. A section of transport leaders are also engaged in collecting huge amounts of taka every day in the name of different organisations of transport workers and owners. Some unscrupulous police and highway police are directly involved in the extortion. Due to rampant extortion in the transport sector, prices of various commodities go up, allege the traders at a meeting.
Participating in the meeting of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in the capital on Saturday, the trade body leaders said rampant extortion in the transport sector is responsible for high prices of various commodities while the passengers also have to pay extra fares. There are also instances of shops being closed down and trucks being halted unless toll is paid. Rangpur Chamber President, joining the meeting online, alleged that the traders have to pay the police on the way to send goods from Rangpur to the capital. A passenger in a freight truck from Mahasthangarh in Bogura to Riazuddin Bazar in Chattogram also saw how the police collected money at different spots.
Reportedly, the FBCCI President agreed with the allegations. But apart from conveying the views of the meeting to the top echelons of the government, he expressed his interest to discuss the issue with the police chief, disheartening many. Sadly, the issue of extortion comes into attention only in Ramzan or when the price of daily commodities fluctuates at rapid pace.
Meanwhile, a police official has said the allegations of extortion by the traders are just a failed attempt to cover up. He requested the traders to provide specific information instead of just allegations of extortion. It’s true that one cannot wake a person who pretends to sleep. If anyone stands on any road in Bangladesh for a while, he/she can witness how the police stop trucks and buses and collect tolls and bribes. Unfortunately, the police official’s statement did not reflect his professionalism. The job of the police is to investigate the allegations and find the evidence.
Extortion in the transportation of goods has become exorbitant in recent years. The question is whether the government will take into account the concerns raised at the FBCCI meeting about extortion. We think if it is taken into account, extortion in public transport may not be stopped completely but it can be reduced.
