Incidents of extortion around JU up

A section of students are 'earning 'A' in extortion' at Jahangirnagar University due to their constant demands for money from vehicles plying the Dhaka-Aricha Highway.

At least 20 cases of extortion have been reported in the last four months, 10 during the holy month of Ramadan alone.

The students usually stop buses, trucks, and minibuses near Dairy Farm Gate, Bishmail Gate, C&B Gate, Nabinagar Pallibiddyut Market and the Savar Cantonment Intersection.

The extortionists, who allegedly belong to the student organisation backed by the Awami League, also target vehicles that visit the campus.

The president of the Dhaka-Aricha Labour Union said he has asked police to take action against the culprits repeatedly, but they haven't done anything.

The extortionists told this correspondent, on condition of anonymity, they have to share their 'income' with the local police.

Sources said the extortionists stopped a truck on January 5 and collected Tk 2,000 in broad day light. Later that night, they collected Tk 3,000 from a Dinajpur-bound bus.

The next day, the extortionists collected Tk 300 from a bus that stopped near Dairy Farm Gate with engine trouble. The activists have also reportedly made off with entire trucks loaded with goods.

The activists aren't afraid to use force, either.

Sources said the activists stopped a southbound bus during Ramadan at gun point. Last year, the activists allegedly kidnapped one construction worker from a village near Bishmail Gate after he refused to pay them Tk 10,000.