Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Reg No- 06
বাংলা
   
Saturday | 11 January 2025 | Epaper

Stop Eid extortion!

Published : Monday, 19 June, 2017 at 12:00 AM  Count : 322
Mir Abdul Alim
A group of extortionists has become reckless in different areas of the country including the capital in this upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr. Extortion is happening in bus terminals, on roads and highways in the form of gratuity. The allegation of the police's involvement in sheltering the drug dealers along with the allegations of their involvement in extracting money by misusing their power, torturing the innocent and freeing the criminals in exchange of money are being found out.
The extortionists are not hiding in pits. They are running their activities openly. So why are they not being eliminated? Why is the government failing in eliminating the extortionists whereas it can eradicate the rajakars as well as the militants? The failure of the police in removing extortionists is saddening.
The transport traders are in a great suffering due to the harassment of the Eid commerce. Extortion is happening not only in the regional roads but also in the highways. The victims have alleged that their looking glasses are being broken and they are being beaten physically hence if they do not give subscription immediately after being asked.
We have learned that a person died because of being physically tortured as he was indifferent to give subscription to the police and the goons. The police are extorting money to the maximum extent stopping buses, trucks and private cars on the roads and highways. It has been alleged that the highway police and the industrial police alongside the thana police are taking subscription in harmony.
On the other hand, the influential leaders of the ruling party are running their business of extortion publicly issuing a name as "Traffic Congestion Project". And if someone does not want to donate, he is harassed and beaten.
Even though the extortionists are always active during Eid, this time it seems to be that they have become more desperate. Some businesspersons from Jatrabari, Sayedabad, Motijheel, Fakirapul, Gulistan and Elephant Road have said that not only the notorious top terrorists, seasonal extortionists, area-based extortionists or the terrorists are not taking subscription but also the eunuchs are taking subscription competing with them. They are taking subscription highly from lodgings, vehicles, small and big business organizations and from everywhere.
There is ample extortion in the transports' sector. The owners of the transports as well as the drivers are the prey to torture if they do not give subscription.
However, the victims said that they were in such a situation to control the extortionists. It is known that they are demanding subscription under the names of some notorious terrorists.
The senior officials of the police say that the law enforcement agencies are taking stern steps against extortion. Immediate action will be taken if they get any news of extortion anywhere.
The law enforcers will have to take more effective steps to stop 'Eid-extortion' as well as annual extortion. The law enforcers will have to gain the belief of the public.
Apart from Eid, continuous extortion is happening in the country. It is true that the law enforcement agencies, specially the RAB members have been able to scare some of the extortionists due to which the incidents of demanding subscription are comparatively less than before.
There is no doubt that extortion creates chaos in the framework of a sound society. We believe that extortion will be reduced if good governance is established at all levels. To extort money from anyone forcefully is undoubtedly a crime. In many cases, the terrorists collect subscription by the names of different groups and organizations. Especially extortion in the transporting sector is extreme.
After all, I would like to say that there is no alternative of displaying zero tolerance against the terrorists, extortionists, muggers including other criminals with a view to ensuring peace and order in the society before Eid.

The writer is a columnist and Chairman of Al-Rafi Hospital Ltd, and General Secretary of Lion's Club of Dhaka Freedom


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