Just as the government has taken a tough stance against extortion on the highways, especially from trucks loaded with cattle, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, allegations have been made that a section of the highway police, led by the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station in Sirajganj district, has indulged in an extortion festival on the highways, eluding the eyes of higher authorities.
Meanwhile, five police personnel of the mentioned highway police station have been withdrawn and attached to the office of highway police super in Bogura on charge of realizing Tk 500 as bribe from a biker.
The accused cops are SI Tofazzal Hossain, ASI Sohel Rana, Pickup-van driver Liton Mian, Constable Abdur Rouf and Fazlur Rahman Fazlu.
Abu Torab Md. Shamsur Rahman, Superintendent of Police at Highway Police in Bogura circle admitted the incident to the media and said, “This action has been taken against them as the initial truth of the allegations against them has been found. Lawful action would be taken after an investigation.”
On the other hand, anger is prevailing among the truck drivers and cattle traders due to continuous extortion by the highway police in their jurisdiction.
They complained that, though five corrupt police have been withdrawn from the thana and attached to Bogura highway police super office, but the main mastermind of the extortion has remained out of punishment so far. As a result, the extortion from cattle and vegetable laden trucks is going on unabated at the whole nightin the name of checking even ahead of Eid.
They claimed that OC Ismail Hossain led the extortion staying behind the scene. Some people with civil clothes are assisting them.
A truck driver on condition of anonymity said, highway police with the directive of OC Ismail collect Tk 2000 from each of the cattle laden trucks and Tk 1000 from each vegetable laden truck. Besides, they collect Tk 500 from each of the three wheelers especially from CNG driven auto-rickshaws showing fear of filing case as most (95%) of them have no license or legal papers.
Despite several praising efforts of the district police over ensuring uninterrupted journey of Eid holidaymakers, highway police are secretly carrying extorting at different points on the highway at night making the traders' dream nightmare.
Saiful Islam Santu, Superintendent of Police in Sirajganj told the journalists that, “Sirajganj district police during the last Eid deployed at least 585 police forces on the highway to ensure road safety and avert accidents. Like the previous times, district police currently have deployed a good number of police (about 600) on the highway for all time monitoring the situation in which travelers can reach their destinations safely and comfortably.”
Declining the allegation, Ismail Hossain, Officer in Charge of Hatikumrul Highway police station said, higher officers including DIG and Additional DIG visited Hatikumrul area on Monday. Besides, I have no connection with the punished five cops, who are now attached with the SP office in Bogura on charge of taking Tk 500 as bribe from a biker at Hatikumrul intersection on May 21.
It is to be mentioned that, on Monday, also first day of the government holidays centering the Eid-ul-Azha, the pressure of north bound vehicles increases on the highway. But, there was no news of traffic congestion any point of the highway due to expansion of the road as four lanes. As a result, commuters enjoyed a comfort journey doubtlessly.
