Alleged that journalist’s phone was taken away for making a video of collecting extra fare at the ghat

An employee of the wharf authority has been accused of forcibly taking away the mobile phone of a journalist for recording a video of a complaint of charging extra fare at a boat wharf in Kurigram’s Roumari upazila. A tense situation was created in the Ghat area based on the incident.

Aminul Islam, the victim assistant teacher recruitment candidate, said that extra money was being collected from the passengers beyond the fixed fare. He said, the people at the ghat get angry when they want to pay the fare written on the token. They also threatened that they would not be allowed to board the boat if they did not pay extra money.

Journalist Sohel Rana Sapna arrived at the scene after receiving the news. When he started recording videos to collect evidence of irregularities, the people from the ghat lessee’s side stopped him. Allegedly, a ticket master named Shafi Alam forcibly took away his mobile phone and threatened to stop video recording.

Naeem Hossain, a passenger who was present at the time of the incident, said that the ghat authorities were collecting extra fare due to the high number of passengers. In the midst of an argument with the passengers, the journalist took a video and his phone was taken away. They threatened to not leave the boat if they protested.

At that time, the situation became more heated when the passengers protested. Later, when the recorded video was published on the multimedia platform of daily Kalekantha, it quickly spread on social media.

After the release of the video, in the face of public pressure, in the presence of the journalist, the Ghat authorities were forced to refund the overcharged fare to the passengers.

Locals complain that an influential syndicate has been active in Naughat area for a long time, who have been taking advantage of the opportunity to collect extra fare by holding passengers hostage. Common passengers want freedom from this syndicate.

Aggrieved journalist Sohel Rana Swapna said, “My mobile phone was taken away in anger when I asked to know the reason for charging extra fare apart from the token.” Even after posing as a journalist, the behavior is a direct interference on independent journalism.

However, the people in favor of the present lease claim that they have leased the wharf at a high price and there is no problem even if the passengers do not board the boat if the rent seems high.In this regard, Roumari upazila executive officer Alauddin said, I have come to know about the matter and have seen the video. Necessary measures will be taken quickly by talking to the port officer.The incident has raised renewed concerns about independent journalism and the protection of passenger rights.