Extortion by AL men, union leaders alleged

Workers of Shilua Tea garden in Juri upazila under the district yesterday filed a complaint to the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), alleging extortion by some tea workers' leaders from the beneficiaries under a government scheme for development of ultra poor tea workers' life.

Stakeholders alleged that a group of ruling Awami League men with the help of some tea workers' leaders have been collecting money illegally from the ultra poor tea workers.

A total of 1,957 ultra poor tea workers in Juri upazila got Tk 5,000 each under the project titled “Cha Sramikder Jibonman Unnayon Kormosuchi”, said officials of upazila social service department.

Under the project, 172 workers of Shilua tea garden were included in the list of beneficiaries prepared by local union parishad (UP) chairman, members and leaders of tea workers union but the ultra poor tea workers had to meet the demand of extortionists after drawing the money from bank.

“When tea workers collected the money from a bank in Juri upazila town, some workers' leaders realised Tk 500 to Tk 800 from each beneficiary, saying that it was taken as per the government's instruction,” said Purno Bhar, a tea worker. 

Talking with this correspondent, general tea workers expressed their grievance over the illegal money collection.

“I was forced to pay Tk 800 out of Tk 5,000 that I received. I faced harassment when I refused to give the money at first,” said a tea worker seeking anonymity.

“We the tea workers protested against the illegal money collection, but the extortionists didn't care as they belong to the ruling party,” said one Joitun Bibi.

Shahab Uddin, chairman of Gualbari UP said, “After some tea workers told me of the illegal money collection, I told them to submit written complaint to Juri UNO.

The list of beneficiaries is prepared by Upananda Bauri, president of Shilua Tea garden unit of Bangladesh Tea Labour Union, also adviser of Goalbari union unit of Awami League, and Subash Karmakar, cashier of the same unit.

This correspondent tried to contact Upananda but he did not receive the phone calls.

Contacted, Subash Karmakar said, “Upananda Bauri and I made the list properly. The allegations are false and those were brought in an evil attempt to malign our image.”

Rakesh Paul, social service department officer in Juri upazila, said he does not know about the incident.

Ashim Chandra Bonik, UNO of Juri, said, “I got a written complaint. After investigation I will take stern action against illegal money collection.”