Sherpur (Bogra) Correspondent

In Sherpur upazila of Bogura, three-wheeler auto-rickshaw-vans do not operate and cannot enter the road without subscription. Sherpur Upazila Rickshaw-Van Sramik Union, Sherpur Upazila and City Battery Operated Easybike Auto Rickshaw Owners Association is openly extorting heavily.

There are also Sherpur Municipal Battery Operated Easybike Vans and Auto Rickshaw Associations. Fed up with their torture, some drivers have appealed to the administration for relief.

The investigation showed that the receipts given by them contain a contribution of 5 to 10 taka. They do not use vehicle number, driver's name, President or General Secretary's signature or any official seal while issuing the receipt.

Only the person through whom the subscription is collected writes the date of the day. There have also been allegations that the collectors misbehaved with the drivers, took away the keys and collected the toll if they did not want to pay the toll. Common helpless drivers have to suffer from this problem every now and then. Van-auto drivers are being harassed in various ways for this extortion.

In this regard, several auto drivers Kajal, Halim, Shahidul, Jamal, Majnu said that on the way from Ranbir Bala Ghatpar to Sherpur bus stand, they have to pay ten rupees at least 3 places. In this way, on an average, 1 to 1 thousand 500 easy bikes and autovans operate in Sherpur.

The victims said that with money contributions and the daily rent of the owners, we do not have much in our hands. As a result, we are living very helplessly with the family. It is unknown where this subscription money is deposited. It is of no use to any worker. For two years, the money collected from this subscription is completely digested in the stomachs of the collectors and the Godfather behind it. This money is not used in case of accident or illness of any worker. Many drivers' families are starving to death due to road accidents.

When asked about this, the president and editor of Sherpur Upazila Rickshaw-Van Workers Union, Sherpur Upazila and City Battery Operated Easybike Auto Rickshaw Owners Association said that they collected the subscription for the welfare of the workers.

The administration said, they will take action quickly if they receive complaints.