BNP activists drive out lessees from ferry ghats
Illigal toll realised in Ghaibandha
Our Correspondent, Gaibandha
The government is being deprived of a good amount of revenue as influential BNP activists are allegedly collecting toll illegally from passengers and cargo boats at Balashi and Sayedpur ferry ghats (terminals) on the Brhamaputra in Fulchhari upazila for a long time. Balashi and Sayedpur ferry ghats leaseholder Asaduzzaman Hasu told this at a press conference held at Gaibandha Press Club on Sunday. He told the press conference that he had taken lease of both the ghats from the Inland Water Transport Authority (IWTA), Baghabari, on payment of Tk 5,07,990 as tender bid for one year effective June 2005- June '06. Since then a group of miscreants led by a Union Parishad (UP) member, Abdul Hamid Fulchari and patronised by a local BNP activist illegally took possession of the ghats by force and started collecting high amount of tolls from passengers and incoming and outgoing cargo boats. Despite lodging complaints with the local police station, the authorities concerned did not take any step to free the ghats from clutch of the illegal grabbers. This has resulted in great loss of the genuine leaseholder, Asad-uz-zaman told the conference. Over 50 labourers are now facing hard days and starving for want of food, he said. He further said that BNP cadres are harassing him with false cases. He has appealed to the authorities concerned to free the ghats from clutch of illegal grabbers.
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