BNP, AL and Jamaat activists unite in extortion- headline

An alleged extortion syndicate involving leaders and activists of the BNP, Awami League and Jamaat-e-Islami has continued to collect illegal tolls from traders at Nimsar, the country's second-largest wholesale produce market, despite repeated law enforcement drives.

The century-old market in Burichang upazila beside the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway remains one of the busiest wholesale trading hubs in the country. Buyers and sellers from Dhaka, northern districts and the south-eastern region trade there around the clock. Traders and market insiders claim the market records transactions worth crores of taka every day, while extortionists allegedly collect nearly Tk20 lakh daily, amounting to several crores each month.

According to the upazila administration, authorities leased the market for the 1433 Bangla year at Tk7.13 crore. Mokam Union BNP Senior Vice-President Shafiqul Rahman Bhuiyan secured the lease as the highest bidder. In a letter issued on 16 April, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tanvir Hossain directed him to pay Tk9.63 crore, including VAT and income tax, within seven working days.

Market committee member Mamunur Rashid said more than 3,000 buyers and sellers visit the market every day. He alleged that traders have to pay tolls both when they sell and purchase goods, while illegal collections continue in the name of market fees.

During an investigation, traders alleged that operators of large trucks have to pay between Tk1,500 and Tk2,000 before entering the market. Police arrested 10 people on 25 February over extortion allegations and seized fake receipts and cash from their possession.

Illegal occupation fuels extortion

Traders alleged that influential political activists reoccupied roadside land belonging to the Roads and Highways Department shortly after an eviction drive in early May. They claimed that activists affiliated with the BNP, Awami League and Jamaat now control the occupied land and collect illegal fees from businesses operating there.

According to traders, goods worth crores of taka change hands on the occupied land every night. They alleged that the syndicate collects Tk8,000 as rent for every Tk1 lakh worth of sales, while a trader selling goods worth Tk5 lakh has to pay Tk40,000.

Some traders also alleged that portions of the money go to influential political figures and officials, although no evidence has independently verified the allegation.

Zakir Hossain, a watermelon trader from Khulna, said he pays Tk8,000 after selling produce worth Tk1 lakh. "We come here from distant districts. We cannot do business unless we pay," he said.

Traders allege excessive toll collection

At the coriander section of the market, sellers said authorities collect Tk5 per kilogram from vendors, while buyers pay another Tk10 for every Tk100 worth of coriander purchased.

Osman Gani, a bitter gourd trader from Tangail, said he has to pay Tk400 every time he unloads goods at the market. He urged the government to stop excessive toll collection.

Mohon Mia, who brought 80 kilograms of taro stems from Barura by bicycle, said he paid Tk160 in tolls at the rate of Tk2 per kilogram.

Cumilla Superintendent of Police Anisuzzaman said authorities would not allow extortion in the district and that law enforcement agencies remained firm against such activities.

Burichang Police Station Officer-in-Charge Lutfor Rahman said police had earlier arrested several suspects over extortion allegations and would take legal action again if the practice continued. He denied any involvement of police personnel in the alleged racket.

Roads and Highways Department Sub-Divisional Engineer Shafiqul Islam said many previous occupiers had returned after the eviction drive and that the department had started taking necessary steps.

When asked about collecting rent from government land, Zakir Hossain, identified as a Jamaat worker in Mokam Union, admitted that part of his shop stands on government land but denied any involvement in an extortion syndicate.

Leaseholder Shafiqul Rahman Bhuiyan defended the toll collection, saying the amount varies depending on the value of goods sold. When asked why traders pay Tk2 per kilogram for taro stems, he said the rate was Tk1.50 per kilogram before ending the phone call.

Burichang upazila BNP President ATM Mizanur Rahman said his party had pledged to abolish toll collection from farmers' markets, but traders at Nimsar still face illegal collections every day. He also alleged that the administration has failed to provide adequate support in curbing the practice.

Retail traders said they also have to pay between Tk200 and Tk1,000 per vehicle at different exit points after purchasing goods. They called on the authorities to dismantle the alleged market syndicate to help keep essential commodity prices affordable for consumers.

Source: Daily Amar Desh