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Mirpur's CNG refuelling stations trapped in extortion web

CITY CORRESPONDENT
A handful of miscreants have begun to extort Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station owners along the Mirpur 10 to Gabtoli and Rokeya Sarani roads.
The amounts demanded in extortion ranges from Tk 5,000 to Tk 200,000 according to a station owner.
Another station owner requesting anonymity told Star City that the stretch along this road is becoming home to such miscreants. "They fearlessly sent their men to the stations who openly demand for the extortion money," he said.
Most CNG station owners said they were facing about 50 percent loss by closing the stations during the peak hours -- 12 noon and 2.00 pm -- because of a gas crisis. "As it is we cannot cater to our clients --threewheelers and taxi cabs --as the pressure of gas falls short of the requirement," he said. "And now we are saddled with the burden of paying large amounts in extortion," he added.
"It costs around Tk. 2.5 crore to setup
one such pump. Specialised machines to produce and dispense gas to the CNG driven vehicles have to be installed," said Ahmed Sharif, the manager of a station.
"It is a tedious task trying to recover our investment, and now the pressure of paying extortion money has added to our woes," he added.
Other owners too think alike and said that well-known miscreants like Taj, Shohor Ali and Raja operate in that area.
It is alleged that these extortionists have threatened the lives of CNG station owners if they informed the police of such activities.
"My station was attacked few months back. The Police and RAB drop in often to check on us, but the threatening calls continue to come demanding large amount of extortion money," said the proprietor of Aria CNG filling station.
"I am already running in a loss with the present gas crisis. Where can I earn the extra money to pay these men? The miscreants not only attacked my shop but shot the security guard in the neck, leaving him seriously wounded, " he added.
Another CNG filling station said if such practices continue, he might have to leave this area. "I thought of opening a second CNG station a few blocks away, but now it is getting difficult to hold together the business in one station," he said.
In this regard, General Secretary of Bangladesh CNG Owners Association, Colonel Shahabuddin said: "We cannot tackle these situations and we have not yet received any complaints regarding this matter at any of our association meetings. But we will certainly look in to the matter if any complaints are brought up".
Other station owners also alleged that when the local police station is notified of any activities, persons within the police station give details of the complainant to extortionists. The owners then get in to bigger trouble than expected.
Assistant Sub-inspector Bilkis Banu of the Mirpur police station said they are not aware of such activities and denied any police involvement. "There have been no complaints till now and if they come we will take immediate action," she said.