Transport sector leaders and workers Friday threatened the caretaker government to paralyse the sector through tougher protests if the administration failed to stop extortion and provide security, reports UNB.
They also demanded action against the people who gunned down Parvez, a counterman of Shohag Paribahan at Gabtoli bus terminal, on September 11.
They set October 13 deadline for the government to take measures against the extortionists and the killers of Parvez.
They said a group, named Shahadat group, is controlling the whole thing from behind the scene.
Their concerns came at a press conference jointly organised by Bangladesh Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation (BSPSF) and Bangladesh Bus-Truck Owners Association (BBTOA) at the Jatiya Press Club in the city.
BSPSF executive president Shahjahan Khan said extortion in the transport sector had become a big national problem.
"I hope the government will take immediate action against the culprits to protect the sector and the transport owners. Otherwise, we will have no option but to shut down our businesses," he said.
Shahjahan, also a former MP from Awami League, said the owners regularly needed to pay tolls to extortionists while traffic police and highway police also took their share in the name of filing cases.
"We hope the government will punish the extortionists and the killers of Parvez. If the government fails to do so by October 13, we will go for tougher movement," he said.
Owner of Shohag Paribahan Sohel Talukder said the Shahadat group demanded Tk 10 million (1.0 crore) in toll from him over phone.
He said the group also threatened to kill him if he failed to pay the amount.
"After killing Parvez, they now threaten to kill me and my other family members one by one," he said.
He said after examining all the phone numbers the law enforcing agencies informed him that the calls had come from Shahadat and his people.
Owner of Nabil Paribahan Shafiqul Islam said the same group asked him to give Tk 5.0 million to 'Kochi Dada (Shahdat)' over phone on September 13.
As he switched off the mobile phone, they made call to one of its ticket counters demanding toll.
"We feel insecure and want security for our lives from the government," he said.
Mentioning some extortion incidents, BBTOA chairman GM Siraj said that the whole transport sector had become hostage to the Shahadat group.
He said earlier the gang used to collect toll from the readymade garment sector regularly and later shifted their toll collection activities to the transport sector.
Replying to a query, Siraj said they did not raise fare ahead of Eid.
About ticket sales at black market, Siraj, however, admitted that it was happening at some points.
"Our mobile teams are monitoring the situation very closely to catch the culprits," he said.
The transport sector leaders also announced a series of protest plans to press home their demands.
The bus owners, drivers and employees at Gabtoli terminal will wear black badges on September 20 while they have planned a national convention in the city on September 21 and suspension of vehicular movement from 3:00pm-5:00pm on September 22.
Transport leaders threaten to stop vehicular movement
FE Team | Published: September 20, 2008 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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