Rajshahi, Jan 15 (V7N) - Allegations of excessive lease fees and extortion have surfaced at Barakunthi Kheyaghat in Rajshahi city. Locals accuse Md. Dukhu Mia, under the leadership of Ser Ali, of openly collecting unauthorized fees, with leaseholder Md. Abu Bakkar Kinu allegedly orchestrating these actions from behind the scenes. Although Kinu legally leased the ghat for 9.5 lakh taka until Bangla 1431, visitors and traders are being charged far beyond the approved rates. For instance, pedestrians are being forced to pay 10 taka instead of the fixed rate, and tourist boats are charged 200 taka daily, despite no official provision for this in the lease agreement.

Farmers and traders crossing from Char-Khanpur and Char-Khidirpur face multiple layers of tolls, including 60 taka per sack of goods and additional payments to laborers and boatmen. This excessive toll collection significantly raises their transportation costs, impacting their livelihoods. Many locals claim the pier is effectively being leased twice, leading to systematic extortion. Even students and tourists walking to Padma Char are unfairly charged, sparking widespread frustration.

Md. Dukhu Mia initially denied collecting road tolls but later admitted that former councilor Md. Abu Bakkar Kinu leased the ghat for 15 lakh taka. Despite this acknowledgment, Dukhu deflected responsibility for the unauthorized charges. Meanwhile, the young men collecting tolls insist that Kinu and his brother Dukhu oversee the operations. Visitors, including students from Rajshahi University, voiced their outrage, questioning why they must pay to access a public space like Padma Char.

Rajshahi City Corporation's property officer Abu Nur Md. Matiur Rahman confirmed the legal lease of the ghat for 9.5 lakh taka but refrained from commenting on the allegations, directing inquiries to senior RAC officials. This lack of transparency has further fueled public dissatisfaction, as residents and visitors demand accountability and fair practices at Barakunthi Kheyaghat.

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