Human chain in protest against extortion and labor torture in the name of extra toll collection on Sunamganj river route

In various rivers and streams of Sunamganj, a human chain has been held by boat owners to protest against extortion, harassment and labor torture in the name of collecting extra toll from boats transporting sand and stones.

On Wednesday afternoon, Sunamganj District Cargo-Trawler Bulkhead Workers Union and Jamalganj Steel Body Marine Owners Association organized this hour-long human chain program on the banks of Abuya River in Fatepur Union of Biswambharpur Upazila.

District Cargo-Trawler Bulkhead Workers Union President Habibur Rahman Habib, Joint General Secretary Ashraful Alam, Fatepur Union Branch President Ataur Rahman, Labor Leaders Noor Ahmad, Saiful Islam, Suhail Mia, Jamalganj Ekta Steel Body Shipping Owners Cooperative Society Representative Md Sumon Mia, Md Motiur Rahman and Ful Mia etc. spoke in the human chain.

Speakers in the manbandhan said that although toll is supposed to be collected at 25 paisa per foot of sand and stone transported on the river, the lessees of various rivers are collecting 1 taka 50 paisa per foot. Although there are rules for collecting royalties and tolls through designated toll collection centers, extortionist terrorists are collecting tolls in rivers while holding drivers hostage. Labor leaders and owners alleged that those who refused to pay extra money were being beaten up. Also, workers and owner leaders who came in human chains also complained that the contribution was collected without giving receipts. The speakers demanded an immediate end to extortion, terrorism, labor harassment and torture in the name of toll collection on the river. ##

Kulendu Shekhar Das
Sunamganj representative
10.12.2025