Editorial
Officials in a state of denial
Over extortion on nation's highways
It is ironic when the Minister of Home Affairs Shahara Khatun advises Dhaka residents to secure their homes with locks before leaving for the holidays in order to minimise the possibility of burglary. It is as though people didn't take such precautionary measures before her revelation and were they to do so now, the security situation would get so much better. Equally shocking is to hear from the home minister that no extortion was taking place on highways. It goes to show that she is far removed from realities on the ground. This state of denial seems to have become contagious and was evident in statements made in a meeting by police officials and ministers of transportation and communication with transport leaders held on August 10. Officials continue to deny that any form of extortion is being collected on the nation's highways, a claim that was hotly refuted by transport associations.
We tend to share the views of the various transport associations leaders who categorically stated that toll was being extorted from buses and trucks to the tune of Tk.50 to Tk.200 on different routes on a daily basis. No matter how hotly such claims are refuted by the deputy Inspector General of Police, we have been continuously reporting on the issue. Indeed, investigative journalism has revealed that in many cases the police have connived with extortionists to raise this money ahead of the Eid celebrations. Such collection comes in the guise of raising money for some fund or other and what is more disturbing is that on a number of routes, extortionists have demanded and collected toll on the pretext that a percentage of the proceeds have to be given to the police.
We strongly urge law enforcement agencies and policymakers to stop misleading the people on the issue. We feel disheartened when people holding important public office such as Shipping Minister Shajhahan Khan also holds the position of Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation, an apex body of all road transport workers' unions suggests that toll collection should be legalised so as to stop this malpractice. It is our view that irresponsible remarks, such as those espoused by the Shipping Minister in late July and higher ups in the police force only serve to encourage the systematic regime of extortion that is fast becoming endemic.
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