Gabtoli Inter-district Bus Terminal in capital Dhaka, has turned into a haven for extortionists and miscreants, resulting in immense sufferings and harassment to the passengers. Passengers with luggage have to pay money on compulsion whether they hire any coolie, or face harassment by criminals in the guise of coolies.
Gabtoli is the main centre for road communication between Dhaka and the North and the Southwestern zones. Around 1200 to 1500 buses travel from Gabtoli terminal to different districts of the country’s North and Southwestern districts every day. Witnesses said, whenever any bus arrives at any place between Aminbazar and Mazar Road, a number of extortionists swarm the passengers like bees. The passengers have to pay Tk 20 to 100 immediately after their luggage is brought out of the boxes in the buses.
Some of the extortionists identify themselves as coolies or porters, while some others claim themselves leaseholders of the terminal. A number of passengers alleged that unless money is paid, they have to become victims of harassment by the extortionists. The extortionists misbehave with the passengers and hurl abusive words at them.
“It is just like snatching” said Shariful Hasan, a 35-year-old passenger of North Bengal. He also said, as he had refused to pay money to one of the extortionists, several others joined the latter and forced Shariful to pay Tk 50 as extortion. Witnesses said, there are several groups of criminals engaged in the collection of money from the helpless passengers.
One of the extortionists named Obaidul claimed that he collects money as toll on behalf of the bus owners association, which is awarded with the lease of the terminal. Sources said, one Sohrab Sarder, a leader of the coolies at the terminal, is involved in the extortion activities. But he could not be reached for comment as he had left the scene sensing the presence of journalists.
Another leader of the coolies, Sobhan Sarder claimed they did not assign anybody to collect money from anybody or any passenger. He also claimed that he was not aware of anything about toll collection. Sources said, members and employees of different owners’ associations also collect toll and extortion money in different ways.
But, Akhter Hossain, vice-president of Dhaka District Bus Owners’ Association, denied the allegations and said, none of their members or employees is involved in such illegal activities. Akhter Hossain, however, admitted that some drugs addicts sometimes might be involved in the collection of toll money from the passengers.
The leader of the Dhaka District Bus Owners’ Association claimed that they had informed the matter to police several times earlier to take measures against the extortionists. Sources said, over 100 personnel from the police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), including around 70 members from traffic division remain deployed at Gabtoli terminal area. But all the illegal activities continue.
Read more Bangladesh Post news.
