Tk 12 lakh extorted daily from truckers

Law enforcers and transport workers' associations are extorting around Tk 12 lakh every day from trucks carrying goods, either imported or meant for export, along the Benapole-Dhaka via Jessore route, alleged businessmen and truck owners.
There are at least 15 points where they are forced to pay from Tk 50 to Tk 200. The associations force the truckers to pay up even if the latter are not members of the association, they said.
There are around 12 associations extorting from truckers in Benapole including Jhikorgachha Truck Sramik Union, Jessore Zila Bus-Truck Malik Samity, Baghachhra Truck Sramik Union and Anto Zila Truck Sramik Union, they added.
Benapole port sources informed that around 600 goods-laden trucks arrive at and leave the port each day for different destinations, especially Dhaka.
Talking to The Daily Star recently, Benapole Importers' and Exporters' Association Vice-President Aminul Haq Anu said extortion by police and the associations forced traders to raise prices of goods to cover the expenses.
Ultimately consumers were bearing the extra costs, he said, adding, “The situation prevails even after complaints are lodged with police.”
Benapole Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents' Association Senior Vice-President Al Haj Nuruzzaman said around Tk 2,000 is extorted from each truck every day by police and the associations.
Blatantly defending the practice, Alamgir Siddiqui, president of Jessore District Motor Workers' Association, said “it was the norm” to pay a “toll” for a “welfare fund for transport workers”.
Echoing the comment, Motaleb Hossain, joint secretary of Jhikorgachha-Sharsha-Benapole Truck Owners' Association, said there was an “understanding” among the truck owners over paying the extortion.
Denying police involvement in the extortion, Jessore Superintendent of Police Joydeb Kumar Bhadra said, “Initiatives will be taken to stop extortion by the associations.”