Police and the local administration in Narsingdi municipality are locked in a dispute over toll collection from roads.

While police say the practice is illegal, the local administration has allowed it by inviting tenders, creating confusion and chaos in the town's transport system.

Documents show that Local Government Deputy Director Mousumi Sarkar Rakhi, then administrator of Narsingdi municipality, floated tenders on February 27 for leasing nine locations -- including markets, bus and truck terminals, and several roadside CNG and auto-rickshaw stands -- for collecting tolls.

BNP leader Md Alamgir Hossain, vice-president of the party's Narsingdi city unit, won the lease by depositing Tk 25.20 lakh into the government treasury.

Police, however, said such toll collection amounts to extortion and violates a High Court directive that prohibits the practice.

The conflict escalated on October 4, when Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Md Anwar Hossain and his team were attacked by 40–50 men while attempting to arrest illegal toll collectors at Arshinagar Intersection. Two detainees were forcibly freed during the assault, leaving Anwar seriously injured. He was later taken to Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital in Dhaka for treatment.

Police have since filed a case naming five people, including BNP leader Alamgir Hossain, and 25–30 unidentified others. Seven suspects have been arrested so far.

On April 21, 2022, the HC issued a directive prohibiting toll collection from any road or highway without designated terminals. The Local Government Division later issued a circular on September 25, 2022, reinforcing the order.

Under Section 98(7) of the Municipal Act, collecting tolls or parking fees outside officially approved terminals is entirely illegal.

Despite this, Narsingdi municipality allegedly continued to authorise toll collection from nine roadside locations, of which only two are approved terminals.

Contacted, Alamgir, the lessee, said, "I have legally taken the lease from the municipality by depositing money in the government treasury. We collect the lease fees in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the municipality."

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Narsingdi Abu Taher Md Samsuzzaman, who served as acting municipal administrator during the leasing period, claimed he did not issue any new tenders.

"I did not sign any new contract. I only reaffirmed previously approved spots. Anyone collecting tolls beyond those terms is violating the agreement," he said.

Asked how seven more stands were designated for toll collection despite having only two approved terminals, he said, "Those were determined before my tenure. False allegations cannot be accepted as facts."

Additional SP Anwar Hossain said, "The HC order is very clear -- no toll can be collected from roads or highways that do not have approved terminals."

Contacted, current municipal administrator Md Monowar Hossain said his predecessor finalised the locations while he was on leave.

"A three-member probe committee has been formed to review the matter in line with the HC directive. We are preparing to suspend all toll collection from public roads permanently."