Extortion rackets plague Buriganga as boatmen face daily levies

Operators of small boats and ferries on the Buriganga River are facing systematic extortion from criminal groups stationed along both banks of the waterway, sources indicated. The daily levies demanded from individual boatmen amount to 150 taka, representing a significant operating cost for those earning modest incomes from river transport.

The extortion scheme appears to operate across multiple points along the river, with separate groups controlling sections on the eastern and western banks. Boatmen reportedly have little choice but to comply with the demands or face the threat of harassment and disruption to their livelihoods.

This criminal activity underscores ongoing lawlessness affecting the Buriganga, a vital commercial and transport artery for Dhaka. River-based commerce and commuter services have long struggled with security challenges, including organized extortion, piracy, and violence.

The situation reflects broader concerns about waterway safety and the capacity of authorities to maintain order on Dhaka's river systems. Boatmen have historically sought government intervention to curb criminal activities that drain their meager earnings and undermine legitimate river transport operations.