Extortion in Transport Sector: Home ministry goes for warning first, not action

The home minister and the shipping minister yesterday acknowledged that extortion was rampant in transport sector. But both spoke of warning the extortionists instead of going straight into action against them.

The government has obtained an intelligence report that named those involved in extortion on highways and at bus and ferry terminals. The list contains names of ruling party men, transport workers, government officials, police members and journalists, sources said.

"From intelligence agencies, we have got the names of those engaged in extortion. We are asking them to refrain from it. Otherwise, the government will take stern action," Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters at his office after a meeting on extortion in transport sector and ferry terminals.

The meeting was convened on instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to stop extortion in transport sector, added the sources. 

"We are giving the last warning to those involved in extortion. If they don't correct themselves, we will go for action," Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, who attended the meeting, later told The Daily Star.

State Minister for Rural Development & Co-operatives Division Moshiur Rahman Ranga, top officials of law enforcement agencies, deputy commissioners and police superintendents of several districts as well as representatives of bus owners' associations were also present.

One DC spoke of immense tension in the district because of the extortionists.

Shajahan Khan told the meeting that he was involved in the transport sector for the last 45 years, and extortion was a commonplace in the sector, which was “embarrassing” the government.

The meeting also discussed the involvement of some reporters in extortion.

"Some reporters write against extortion while some others get involved in it,” a source quoted a police official as telling the meeting.

A section of the extortionists creates an artificial traffic jam on highways and ferry terminals. Then some vehicles on the queue are allowed to go past the others in exchange for money.

The home minister told reporters that the government identified several spots across the country where extortionists were very active and some of the spots were brought under CCTV surveillance system.

According to meeting sources, a common way of extortion is gambling on the ferries. Ruling party men arrange gambling between their cronies and passengers, making huge money out of it.

Various municipalities and city corporations also collect extra toll from vehicles by stopping them on highways, a major reason behind traffic congestion.

The meeting decided that from now on, measures would be in place to ensure that tolls were collected at the rates fixed by the government and only at designated places. No labour organisations would be able to collect money beyond the rates fixed by the ministries concerned.

If police members are found involved in extortion, they would face the music.

Moshiur Rahman Ranga, also president of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association, admitted that extortion was widespread on highways.

Intelligence agencies made a long list of extortionists, which includes politicians from all parties, he said.