Extortionists active ahead of Eid

SIRAJGANJ, Jan 3: Extortionists have become active in the northern districts, including Sirajganj, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitre festival, much to the chagrin of businessmen, transport operators and traders.

Extortionists in the guise of transport workers are collecting 'illegal toll' from drivers of passenger buses and trucks on highways in the region.

According to reports, these so called transport workers, equipped with bamboo sticks, intercept vehicles and charge 'Eid greetings' at different points on highways in Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Rangpur, Naogaon, Pabna, Natore, Bogra, Lalmonirhat and also in Sirajganj.

In Sirajganj, extortionists, allegedly backed by politically influential people, are also collecting 'tolls' from businessmen and traders.

Local people allege members of law enforcing agencies do not pay attention to these incidents of 'toll' collection from shop owners and traders. The extortionists, however, describe the 'toll' as Eid Shubhechachha, or Eid greetings.

A police official in Sirajganj, requesting anonymity, said as most of the extortionists are also activists of different political parties, they cannot take proper action because of political pressures they face.

He, however, said additional petrol police were deployed on highways to arrest highway extortionists.