A field day for syndicates

According to a report published in this newspaper on Thursday, there are currently about 23,000 autorickshaws plying the streets of Dhaka. Surprisingly, almost half of them, that is about 10,000, are doing so without permission from the authorities concerned. Even worse, as our report reveals, is the reason that these autorickshaws can run in the city—a systematic structure of corruption involving middlemen, traffic policemen and high-ranking police officials. The magnitude of the corruption can be gauged by the estimates of bribe that is passing hands every month: a figure around Tk 5 to 6 crore.

The problems here are many, from the congestion that the influx of vehicles causes to the abuse of authority and power that is taking place. Through interviews, everything from how much bribe is paid to traffic policemen to allow these vehicles to enter Dhaka, the points through which they enter, the details of who to call when there is trouble were all reported. And when asked, the authorities, predictably, have denied all allegations, but the claims of drivers interviewed were collaborated by our reporters first hand.

That the drivers are willing to pay large sums so that they can operate in the capital city is understandable. But that our law enforcers are willing to allow this speaks of blatant disregard for their duties. It is imperative that the police authorities conduct an investigation into the matter. For at the heart of it is not only the issue of thousands of permit-less vehicles, but the ethical integrity of a force which is supposed to be the upholders of the law.