Desperate extortion gang surrounds the new bus stand in Sirajganj, Sechsevak Dal leader in the background.

The work of Hatikumrul Interchange in Sirajganj is going on, three new bus stands have been built on all four sides after breaking the old traditional roundabout for the work of interchange. On the eastern side of the roundabout, Pabna bus stand on Dhaka-Pabna highway and Dhaka-Rajshahi Nato bus stand on the western side and Dhaka-Bogra bus stand on the northern side of the roundabout.
Dhaka Bogra Bus Stand is known as the busiest bus stand among them.
It is one of the bus stops for the Dhaka-bound long-distance transport of the people of 22 districts.
Transports of 22 districts including Pabna – Natore, Rajshahi, Bogra go around the roundabout and pick up passengers at Dhaka Bogra bus stand.
Every day about 10 to 15 thousand people come and go at this stop.
And around this new busiest bus stand, a powerful extortion circle has recently developed.
After demolishing the old roundabout, the members of a few lead donor circles are grabbing lakhs of rupees by using local youths like Radhanagar, Dhopakandi, Chakpara, Uttarpara to collect donations.
According to local people and transport workers, the gang has 50 to 60 members.
At the funeral, the extortionists have to pay Tk 500 to Tk 1,000 if passengers book long-distance buses from North Bengal to Dhaka, Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar. Two to three passengers have to pay 50, 100, 200 taka.
It has its own force to collect subscription money.
Several youths came forward in the identity of chainmasters during boarding of passengers. Passengers are not allowed to pick up if they refuse to pay.
Ordinary passengers are suffering. The destination has to be reached at an increased fare.

Although a handful of chainmasters have been appointed under the Sirajganj, Bogra, Pabna, Rajshahi Bus Owners’ Association for serial maintenance and vehicle checks,
Most of the bus stand people are using the names of chainmasters and transport workers to collect illegal tolls.
The key to distribution and control of subscription money is in the hands of a few local influencers.Among them, Alauddin Mondal (45) of Radhanagar area, Abdul Latif (35), the leader of the Hatikumrul Union volunteer group, Abdul Latif (45), son of Kurman Ali of Charia Shikar Uttar Para area, Muslim Uddin (40), and Zahurul Islam (40), son of Mujauddin, Abdul Momin (35) of Chakpara area and several others.
Residents and checkers, transport related workers and serial maintainers who did not wish to reveal their names said that after the Sirajganj road roundabout was broken, new bus stands and counters have been built in Radhanagar area. On this occasion, they formed an association under the leadership of Abdul Latif, senior convenor of Secchasevak Dal of Radhanagar area, Alauddin and Hatikumrul Union. And later, Alauddin, Latif, Latif of Uttarpara, Zahurul, Momin, Sakawat along with the rest of the Sadsyas are collecting toll from the bus. As soon as the car is loaded from here, their people come and stand, they take 500 to 1000 taka per car. And even if they pick up two passengers, they have to pay 50 to 100 rupees.
All the money is collected in one place and at the end of the day, the level is divided. A large portion of this money is also allocated to manage local activists, police and journalists.
Even the people appointed by the bus owner association cannot go near the vehicle.
As soon as they go, they are molested by the rising age of the area.
Even counter masters and checkers are not spared from them.
Transferred from the bus stand. Even from every counter they take money, no one is allowed to pick up passengers without paying money.
We have become hostages. Even if we reveal the name, the problem is that we won’t be able to go to the bus stand the next day, so we keep quiet.
Those who are able to leave the money from the car, and if the money is not paid, they are not allowed to pick up passengers from the road.
These should be stopped, if this continues, half of the rent will have to be paid to them.

In this regard, Abdul Latif said, we do not do extortion, we do serial maintenance, the Polapan here goes to help the police during the traffic jam on the highway.
Alauddin’s mobile phone was called several times, but he did not receive the call.OC Ismail Hossain, officer-in-charge of Hatikumrul Highway Police Station, said, “I was not aware of the blackmail issue and will take necessary action on the information.”

OC, Imam Zafar, officer-in-charge of Salanga police station, said that we will definitely take action if any person is harassed, or if someone makes a complaint.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Additional SP) of Raiganj Circle. Saiful Islam Khan said, legal action will be taken to trace those who are doing extortion.

Highway Bogra Region Superintendent of Police Md. Shahidullah said,Highway Police is always active to stop extortion in Mahar. I will take necessary measures to stop extortion.