13 hurt, as BNP activists try to seize control

BARISHAL, Aug 31 (UNB): Thirteen people were injured in an attack by a faction of the BNP attempting to take control of the Rupatali Bus Terminal and the three-wheeler stand in Barishal. Seven of the injured have been admitted to hospital.

During the Awami League's tenure, buses and three-wheelers operated from this terminal by paying extortion fees. Following the fall of the government, extortion from three-wheelers ceased for a few days.

However, on Friday, BNP leaders Kalam Chowdhury and Abdur Razzak and their associates resumed the extortion.

On Friday night, when three-wheeler drivers refused to pay the extortion, over a hundred people armed with sticks attacked them, injuring 13, including drivers. Seven of the injured were admitted to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. About 10 vehicles were also vandalized during the incident.

Three-wheeler drivers reported that during the Awami League's rule, a syndicate extorted Tk 50 to Tk 70 from three-wheelers and Tk 80 to Tk 120 from passenger buses. After the fall of the Awami League government, three-wheeler drivers stopped paying extortion fees.

However, BNP leaders Kalam Chowdhury and Abdur Razzak and their associates began collecting Tk 100-120 from each bus departing the terminal and resumed extorting fees from three-wheelers.

Mostafizur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of Barishal Kotwali Model Police Station, said that the injured are preparing to file a complaint, and legal action will be taken accordingly.