HOME-BOUND holidaymakers on Eid-ul-Fitr are bracing troubles from extortionists and professional thugs as news report said. Police are also discretely joining the extortion business at many places or lending support to the extortionists. Reports said major city bus terminals, launch ghats, railway stations and such other exist points have become highly vulnerable to home-bound people where thugs are misleading people and every service providers forcing them to pay excess fare and handling charges taking them hostage. Dhaka Metropolitan Police have set up CCTV camera at crowded transport points and big city malls to nab the criminals and ensure public safety. It is no doubt a good initiative but continued harassment of home-bound passengers and Eid shoppers within the city by thugs and unruly elements, often blamed to be local ruling party men, suggests lack of effective follow up action to stop public harassment in those rushing hours.
As we know it is the responsibility of the government to arrange undisturbed journey of the people and get them back to the city safely. But the condition of roads and highways are precarious at many points. Had the government worked properly, there would not have been potholes at many points. Moreover, law enforcers are reportedly extorting on the highways. They are creating the hassles by stopping transports to check their papers and demanding Eid bakshish causing tailback at many points. Local extortionists are also operating under the cover of police with total impunity all over. They are realizing tools from roadside vendors to luxury shopping malls. Big business and industry owners are also under pressure to pay big amount in which big hands are at work. Inspector General of Police has said such things are not unusual at festival times as reported in an English daily; but it surprises many to raise question why he is making confessional statements instead of applying discipline at all level.
As it appears lawlessness is at its peak now throughout the country as the government has become almost totally dependent on unruly political elements and police to hold the firm grip on politics. Its only aim is to eliminate the opposition to continue in power and consequently, unruly political elements affiliated to the ruling party and dishonest forces have taken to dominating the scene. Even organized transport workers and their muscle men now prevail upon a person if he wants to hire a transport from a city asking him to pay exorbitant fare. It is advisable that the government must take all necessary steps immediately to make the Eid journey at least free from extortions and hassles. Vigilance must continue until the holidaymakers return to the city.
