15 injured as rival ruling party men clash over illegal toll collection

Two groups of the ruling party clashed over illegal toll collection at Patgram cattle market in the district yesterday, leaving at least seven people from both sides injured.
Police said the clash ensued when the two groups--one led by Patgram upazila Jubo League General Secretary Ali Year Jong and the other by upazila Sramik League General Secretary Mahmudul Haque Tuhin--were collecting toll from cattle traders at noon.
The injured are undergoing treatment at the upazila health complex.
Immediately after the incident, Sramik League men blocked Lalmonirhat--Burimari highway in Patgram upazila town for two hours from 12:00, demanding arrest of the attackers.
Patgram Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abu Hayat Mohammad Rahmat Ullah, Upazila Parishad Chairman Ruhul Amin Babul and a police team went to the spot at around 2:00pm. Police dispersed the Sramik League men and removed the barricades from the road.
Some cattle traders, requesting anonymity said the ruling party men collect toll from the market on haat day. “We give them Tk 50 against each of the Indian cattle, fearing attack or unnecessary harassment.” they said.
According to local people, around 2,000 Indian cattle are brought to Patgram cattle market for sale on haat day on Thursdays and Sundays. Traders bring the cattle through legal and illegal ways, they said, adding that police, BGB men and custom officials are also get money from toll collectors and leaseholders.
Shamsul Alam, one of the leaseholders, said he is not aware of illegal toll collection from the cattle market. ”We collect toll from sellers and buyers as per government rates. No complaint about illegal toll collection has yet been filed by the traders,” he said.