Barishal's Mallikpur to Aliganj stretch of Meghna remains a nightmare for river workers
Published : 17 Jan 2025, 02:01 AM
Shamim Ahmed, who has been transporting goods via river routes for nearly three decades, is no stranger to extortion and robbery. These incidents have become a regular part of his life. In the past, he had never been physically assaulted because he always paid the extortion fees or handed over valuables when faced with robbers, avoiding any trouble.
However, last September, Shamim fell victim to a severe attack by robbers.
He and a companion were assaulted, leaving him requiring five days of treatment at Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
Shamim's cargo vessel, carrying stones from Chandpur’s Dasani to Satkhira, got stuck in the Meghna River due to low tide.
It was around 10:30am when a group of 30 to 35 people boarded the vessel and turned off the engine.
Initially, Shamim assumed they were there to extort money, but instead, they began beating him and his companion without demanding any money.
Seeing the situation worsen, the rest of the crew hid in the toilet, water tank, and under the engine.
The robbers made away with two mobile phones, Tk 10,000, sacks of rice, a gas stove, and clothes.
Later, with the help of another person, Shamim docked the vessel at Barishal’s Charmonai, from where he was taken to the hospital.
Hailing from Arail village in Brahmanbaria’s Sarail, Shamim started working on boats at the age of 12.
Now, he works as a helmsman and is a member of the Bangladesh Water Transport Workers Federation, or BWTWF.
Shamim shared that he transports goods across the country, and extortion and robbery incidents are frequent on certain routes, particularly in the Haimchar-Hizla turn-Kaliganj waterway.
The situation has worsened in the Baidyer Bazar-Nuner Tek stretch in Narayanganj and the Chhatak waterway in Sunamganj, where at least four extortion payments are demanded.
“These gangs often move around in small, mid-sized boats with nets, pretending to fish. But when a vessel gets stranded or finds itself in a deserted area, they attack in groups with machetes and spears. This menace has become severe. Robbers or extortionists also come in boats and speedboats. We are not getting any relief from this,” Shamim added.
The two-kilometre stretch of the Meghna River from Mallikpur to Aliganj in Barishal is a zone of terror for river workers.
Previously, this area was divided into three parts, with extortion money collected under the names of Awami League leaders.
Despite the change in political power on Aug 5, the extortion amounts remain the same; only the party and the leaders' names have changed.
Nearly 200 cargo vessels, boats, and ships that pass through this route daily must pay a fixed rate of extortion to ensure safe passage.
Otherwise, they face brutal beatings and looting.
The workers refer to this as the “river tax,” in addition to the risk of robbery.
Despite repeated complaints about the extortion on the Meghna River, law-enforcing agencies have not taken effective steps to address the issue.
Allegations suggest that some corrupt officials are complicit in this extortion racket.
Barishal River Police Superintendent Nazmul Haque claims that operations are ongoing to curb the extortion.
"We have already arrested three people, and they have been sentenced through mobile courts," he said.
Conversations with many river transport workers at Aliganj Bazar in Hijla revealed their constant fear.
Among them was a member of an extortionist gang.
A few days ago, the murder of seven workers aboard a fertiliser-laden ship in Chandpur heightened their anxiety.
Workers have come to accept extortion and robbery as inevitable.
They explained that within a two-kilometre stretch of the river near the Hijla and Mehendiganj borders, three groups collect extortion from cargo vessels daily.
Md Riyaz, a helmsman of the bulkhead Maa Enterprise, said: “We pay Tk 500 at Kaliganj and Tk 200 each at two other points, totalling Tk 900. If we refuse, they beat us, seize our mobile phones, and hurl abuses.”
Md Ibrahim, another helmsman, said the unpredictable tides keep them on edge.
“The panic begins as soon as we reach Haimchar. Even calling 999 doesn’t help because the crimes occur between two river police outposts.”
He added, “The Coast Guard is also absent in these areas, enabling the extortionists and robbers to operate freely. When we inform the police or Coast Guard, the extortion stops for a week or ten days before resuming.”
Ibrahim alleged that their information is often leaked to the criminals.
“We’ve heard that a portion of the extorted money goes to the local police station,” he said.
In addition to the three extortion points, robberies disguised as fishing expeditions are common.
Ibrahim said, “They take 24-volt batteries, mobile phones, cash, and even new clothes.”
A local remarked, “Previously, Awami League members collected extortion. Now, it’s done in the name of BNP members. Only the parties and faces have changed, but the extortion hasn’t stopped.”
He added, “Extortion in the stretch from Mallikpur to Kaliganj is conducted by supporters of Mehendiganj’s Gobindapur Union Jubo Dal President Mizan Majhi.
“From Kaliganj to Deona Dighi Par, it’s the followers of Milton Chowdhury, Jubo Dal’s joint convener of Barishal North wing, and from Deona Dighi Par to Aliganj Bazar, it’s the followers of Hizla’s Dhulkhola Union BNP’s joint conveners Alam Chawkidar and Harun Mridha.”
"From noon to 3pm and again from 5pm to 9pm, the three groups collect extortion from each vessel. Around 150 to 200 cargo vessels pass through the area daily," he said.
Locals revealed that before Aug 5, when the government was overthrown, these vessels paid extortion to followers of Pankaj Nath, the former MP and ex-general secretary of the Awami League’s volunteer wing, and Shammi Ahmed, the party’s international affairs secretary.
Now, the three groups extracting money are affiliated with Rajib Ahsan, general secretary of the BNP’s volunteer wing, they said.
Abul Hashem Master, Barisal Division President of the BWTWF, raised concern over extortion and robbery in Mallikpur, Kaliganj, and Aliganj areas.
Despite repeated appeals to the police stations in Hizla and Mehendiganj, the naval police outpost, and the Coast Guard, he said that no effective measures have been taken.
Lt Sabbir Ahmed, the spokesperson for the Coast Guard's southern zone, said they are in the final stages of gathering information and are working to identify the culprits involved in these acts.
"We are making efforts to find those responsible and will take action against them," he said.
He highlighted their increased operations, noting a quick response on Jan 1 to a robbery incident where injured sailors were rescued.
Despite these assurances, both the naval police and Coast Guard officials have denied involvement in extortion activities.
Meanwhile, Mizan Majhi, president of Gobindapur union Jubo Dal, and Milton Chowdhury, the organisation’s joint convener of Barishal north zone, denied any connections to the extortion allegations.
They claimed to have urged authorities to arrest those using their names for such activities.
Alam Chawkidar, joint convener of Hizla's Dhulkhola union BNP, also denied allegations of involvement in extortion.
Rajib Ahsan, the former president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Union and general secretary of the Swechchhasebak Dal, denied knowing the specific locations where extortion occurs, although he recognised the names of those accused.
Md Mohiuddin Talukdar, Awami League member and former chairman of Mehendiganj's Gobindapur union, explained that before Aug 5, extortion was led by Awami League leader Noman Molla, who later aligned with Shammi Ahmed.
After the government change on Aug 5, both Pankaj and Shammi have been unreachable, with their mobile numbers inactive.
[Writing in English by Arshi Fatiha Quazi]