Substantiating the allegations, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members yesterday caught 14 persons and a customs constable red-handed for extortion.

"Collecting tolls from us is not anything new, but it multiplied from Saturday following Eid," said Kawsar Pramanik, a cattle trader at Damkura Hat.

Toll collection from cattle trucks is alleged at Mohishalbari at Godagari, the Rajabari check post, Kasiadanga, Gourhanga and Talaimari points in the city, Belpukur in Puthia, Baneswar, the Natore bypass crossing, the Bonpara Crossing and the Nalka crossing at Sirajganj.

Rab members arrested a Customs constable, Nasim Uddin, while he was collecting tolls from a truck at the Rajabari check post point.

Two of Nasim's accomplices fled, but Nasim was handed over to Rajshahi divisional customs officials.

In another raid, Rab officials rounded up 14 extortionists as they were taking tolls from traders near the Tanore Police station. Tk 4,500 of the collected tolls, along with four wristwatches, were seized from them, according to a Rab press release.

The arrestees are allegedly hired men of local police and the truckers' union.

The traders are required to pay Tk 200 to 300 for each cattle truck at different hats (large markets), said Kawsar, adding that money is collected in the name of the local truck union.

"If anyone wants to avoid levies, he has to pay Tk 300 to the hat lease-holders. The later will arrange uninterrupted passage for the trader", said a market source.

Abdul Bari, a leaseholder of Mohishalbari hat, said the toll money is usually spent to ensure that the market runs smoothly.

Mofazzal Hossain, general secretary of the Truck Labourers Union, said the money was collected for the welfare of the labourers.

Traders pay Tk 300 at the Rajabari check post, with the money distributed among police, BDR and Customs, said traders.

Police collect Tk 20 to Tk 100 at Kasiadanga, Gourhanga and Talaimari crossing in the city from each cattle truck, said the sources.

Hired men of BDR collect Tk 300 to Tk 600 at the Belpukur Checkpost, Tk 50 to Tk 100 at Baneswar, Natore and Banpara crossings.

Azmatullah, a trader from Dhaka, said the toll at Belpukur was collected from traders who do not pay proper duties for cows.

Talking to The Daily Star, a top BDR official denied the allegations against BDR and said that some other men might have been using BDR's name.

Seeking anonymity, he said, "We would take action if any allegation is found against any BDR member".