Truckers stop carrying goods from Sonamasjid land port

Truckers suspended transport of goods from Sonamasjid land port in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj from yesterday morning, protesting alleged extortion and harassment of truckers by port Sramik Samanaya Committee and middlemen.

Because of the stoppage, called by the Truck Owners Association and Zila Motor Sramik Union, more than 300 trucks are lying idle at Chapainawabganj Central Truck Terminal.

Aminul Islam Sentu, president of Chapainawabganj Truck Owners Association, alleged that the port Sramik Samanaya Committee and a section of middlemen have been extorting toll of Tk 1,600 to Tk 12,000 from every truck loaded with imported goods, including fruits and onions, for the last two years.

Truckers are physically harassed if they refuse to pay the extortion money. The extortionists are also compelling them to carry excess goods on the trucks, he alleged.

Puspa Narayan Barman, acting president of district sramik union, said the members of the Sramik Samanaya Committee and the middlemen are local people. They physically assault truckers if they refuse to pay toll, he added.

 Monsur Rahman, a truck driver from Jessore, and Mohammad Alam, a driver from Tejgaon in the capital, said they often come to Sonamasjid land port and carry imported goods. But a section of labourers harass them regularly.  

If the extortion and harassment are not stopped, they will continue to stop carrying goods, the leaders said.

Contacted, Sadekur Rahman, president of Sonamasjid Land Port Sramik Samanaya Committee, said the allegations were baseless and false.

Export and import activities are normal at the port, but the loading and unloading of trucks are hampered due to absence of Bangladeshi trucks in the port yard, port sources said.