1,920 bicycles imported by dodging tax

Four officials of Customs, Excise and Vat in Panchagarh Sadar upazila have been transferred to the department's offices in different northern districts on charge of negligence in duty that led to illegal import through Banglabandha land port huge Indian parts for assembling of 1,920 bicycles.

Authorities yesterday issued an order, effecting instant transfer of the four officials -- Mohammad Zakaria, assistant commissioner of Panchagarh Circle of Customs, Excise and Vat, Sardar Mohammad Zakir Hossain, revenue officer, Abdus Samad Azad and Mohammad Nuruzzaman, assistant revenue officers.

"Acting on a tip, a team of task force comprising police, BGB and civil administration seized 2,400 bicycles worth about Tk 2 crore from five trucks on Panchagarh-Dhaka highway in front of Panchagarh BGB headquarters around 9:30pm on Tuesday," said Lt Col Mohammad Ariful Haque, commanding officer of 18 Battalion of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Panchagarh.

"Proprietor of AB Brothers Binoy Kumar imported the bicycles from India through Banglabandha Land Port. Of the 2400 bicycles, only 480 were mentioned in the invoice while the rest remained undeclared," Lt Col Ariful Haque, who led the drive, said.

Executive magistrates Ilias Mehedi and Shahin Islam made the seizure list and sent it to the warehouse of Panchagarh BGB and Subedar Abul Kalam of Panchagarh 18 BGB Battalion filed a case with Panchagarh Police Station accusing 14 people in connection with smuggling of the goods.

"Tk 7 lakh was received as import tax against 480 bicycles. But I do not know how around 2,000 other bicycles were imported through evading tax," Zakir Hossain, superintendent of Customs, Excise and Vat, told the reporters.

Mohammad Zakaria, assistant commissioner of the department, declined to make any comment in this regard.

The task force also detained eight drivers and helpers in connection with the incident.

Demanding their release, Panchagarh Transport Owners' and Workers' Union blocked road yesterday afternoon by putting vehicles haphazardly on Panchagarh-Dhaka highway, much to the sufferings of the commuters.

The blockade was withdrawn around 9:00pm, following the authorities' assurance of releasing the eight arrestees.