The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) conducted a drives on Sunday to help prevent illegal toll collection and hoarding of essential commodities in a bid to contain price spiral during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.
RAB Director (media and legal wing) Commander Khandakar Al Moin made the disclosure at a press briefing at the RAB media centre in the capital's Karwan Bazar area.
He said that RAB had arrested 51 illegal toll collectors during drives at Karwan Bazar, Babu Bazar. Gulistan, Dainik Bangla Intersection, Ittefaq Intersection, Titipara, Kajla, Gabtoli, Demra Staff Quarters and some wholesale markets in Dhaka.
The arrestees were identified as Jabed, Arif, Abul Hossain, Billal Hossain, Ali Hossain, Rakib Hasan, Falan Mia, Sakib Ali, Bablu, Raja and others.
He said that amounts ranging between Tk 200 and Tk 300 were being collected from goods-laden trucks by the arrestees.
Cash worth Tk 0.12 million, one laser ray light , six jackets of city corporations (Dhaka) and other organisations, four identity cards, 42 mobile phone sets, money receipt books for collecting toll and two other types of light were also recovered from their possession.
He said that arrestees collected illegal tolls from goods-laden trucks sometimes in the names of city corporations (Dhaka), labour associations, welfare societies or even law enforcing agencies.
He said that the prices of essential commodities shot up due to illegal toll collection from goods-laden trucks.
The RAB official warned that stern legal action would be taken against persons involved with price manipulation and hoarding essential commodities artificially in their personal interests.
He said that none would be spared whatever their identities if found involved with price machination and hoarding of essential commodities.
"Our (RAB) drive will continue. We have got some people's names involved with syndicate and we are scrutinising the names. We will bring them to book, no matter whatever their background is or organisations they belong to even if a RAB member is found involved with the syndicate," he warned.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com