Every day from night till dawn, about 150 buses enter from Jagannath University in Old Dhaka to Sadarghat Terminal. And a 'lineman' reportedly collects one lakh 80 thousand taka as extortion from a bus. The 'Lineman' hands over the extortion money to the members of Sramik Dal, Jubo Dal and the police. While preparing the report, it was found that a few people together earn as much as 50 lakh taka a month.
Observing from the spot, this reporter saw that 50 buses enter in a single trip near the Sadarghat Terminal in Old Dhaka. In this way, they enter the bus terminal about 3 times a day. Collecting extortion begins at 11 PM and ends at 4 AM. Every time a bus enters, the driver pays a hefty 1200 taka to the 'lineman'. He collects all this extortion money and gives it to the Sramik Dal, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal and the police. Eyewitnesses have confirmed that this extortion money has now turned into a regular affair. The Lineman's name has been learnt to be Alauddin.
Another lineman and a beneficiary of the past government , on the condition of anonymity said the extortion money was collected by Alauddin and handed over to Rubel Howlader, the member secretary of the Jubo Dal of Ward 37 of Dhaka South City Corporation, Russell Fitter, the senior joint convener of Jubo Dal, Jewel Howlader, the former organizing secretary of Kotwali Police Station, Ahmed Sobhan, the former joint general secretary of Kotwali Police Station, Kiran of the Shecchashebak Dal, the recently departed president and general secretary of Jagannath University branch of Chhatra Dal, and some Sramik party members. In addition, there are allegations that police members of Kotwali and Bangshal police stations are being bribed. The common people are angry about this. In this regard, a private employee who did not want to be named said, Alauddin is collecting extortion openly, right in front of all.
However, bus drivers reportedly charge TK 60 as bus fare instead of TK 30 from passengers. In this, the bus contractors and helpers get extra money. In the end, bus passengers turn as innocent victims. It has been alleged that the extortion scenario is similar to the previous government.
In this context, Jewel Howlader, former organizing secretary of the Jubo Dal of Kotwali Police Station, said, 'I am not from this ward. I am a resident of ward 32. Someone is conspiring against me. I do not extort money from anyone. I do not know lineman Alauddin. I am in the midst of conducting a trial. I will call you later.' However, lineman Alauddin's phone was found switched off.
In this regard, Russell Fitter, senior joint convener of the Jubo Dal of ward number 37 of Dhaka South City Corporation, said, 'Many people have complains against me. I have an opposition group. I have never got involved in extortion.'
