Kurigram Correspondent

There have been allegations of illegal extortion for a long time by using the name of the labour organization illegally under the nose of the administration at Ulipur in Kurigram

Although the name of "Kurigram District Truck Tankaldi Covered Van and Tractor Workers' Union" is used, money is being forcibly collected from small vehicles transporting goods that are not under the purview of that organization.

The administration is silent for unknown reasons despite the fact that lakhs of rupees are extorted every month from several important road junctions of the municipal headquarters. And these things are done openly by the general secretary of Ulipur branch of that organization Fariz Uddin and road secretary Rubel Mia. This extortion syndicate has been formed under their leadership.

According to the complaint source of the consumers, in Ulipur city, rickshaws, vans, mixers and auto-rickshaws (easybikes) are being used to bring the goods by keeping guards at the main junctions of the city and illegally extorting money. Starting from the raw market, any product carried by small transport is collected from 10 to 30 taka.

An average of Tk 20,000 to 25,000 is illegally extorted from thousands of goods-carrying small vehicles every day from morning to evening on important road junctions of the city like Gunaigach Bridge, Purba Bazar Railgate Junction, Post Office Junction and Old Cinema Hall. Accordingly, it is alleged that every month 6 to 7.5 lakh rupees is collected.

It is also known that although this extortion was done publicly regarding the running expenses and service charges (in receipts) of the organization "Kurigram Zilla Truck Tank Ladi Covered Van and Tractor Workers Union", none of the small vehicles such as rickshaws, vans, mixers and autorickshaws (easybikes) with that organization. not related

But even then there is no opportunity for these vehicles to enter and leave the city with their goods without paying a subscription. It is alleged that some people including general secretary of Ulipur branch of that organization Fariz Uddin and road secretary Rubel Mia have formed this syndicate using the name of the organization for about 6 months.

A few people including Aakash Mia, Raju and Sajjad were taken to the road junctions. They admitted to taking 10 to 30 taka in the name of the organization while carrying goods by rickshaw, easy bike, van, mishu. However, no receipt is given to anyone if they do not pay 30 taka.

They also said, we get money for work every day. The money withdrawn is deposited in Ulipur Truck Workers Office. Meanwhile, despite the illegal extortion happening publicly, the administration is silent for unknown reasons. As a result, the poor drivers of small cargo vehicles have become helpless.

Kaleem Uddin Mia, the van driver of Thetrai Union, said that they collect money sometimes 10 taka and sometimes 30 taka whenever they pick up any product in the car. How much money do you get for a rent? From there also money has to be paid in the name of labor welfare. But this money is never spent when workers are in danger.

The leaders share this money and eat it. The administration should stop these extortions. The van driver of Dhamsreni area, Nirasha Mia, said the same thing. Abu Jafar and Sajjad Hossain, van drivers of Gunaigach area, said that while carrying 6 sacks of cement in the van, they stopped the van at Gunaigach bridge and demanded Tk 30 due to transport of cement sacks.

After a lot of hassles, I got through with 25 taka. With this money, I can legally carry whatever I want. But they are collecting money by force.

Easybike (auto rickshaw) drivers Moktar Hossain and Hossain Ali said that while taking the auto rickshaw to the raw market, a young man suddenly stopped the rickshaw and demanded 30 rupees in the name of labor welfare. After many requests, I gave 20 rupees. If you don't pay 30 rupees, they don't give any receipt. All those who carry goods in transport are charged.

In this regard, Fariz Uddin, general secretary of Ulipur branch of Kurigram District Truck Tank Lorry Covered Van and Tractor Workers Union, said that 30 rupees was collected for the welfare of workers from the vehicles under the organization's control, including trucks, tank lorries, covered vans and tractors plying on the road.

OC of Ulipur Police Station Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman said, "I am not aware of the matter." Apart from government tolls, there is no rule of money collection on the road. No one told us about this illegal extortion for a long time. There is no such rule. The matter will be investigated and action will be taken soon.