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Fish traders and fishermen staged a demonstration protesting alleged extortion at the Rani Rashmoni Fish Ghat in Chattogram's Halishahar area. Protesters claim that individuals, asserting they hold a lease from the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), are demanding illegal payments from businesses operating at the facility.

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They have even seized fish consignments in an attempt to force traders to pay up.

More than 100 members of the fishing community participated in the protest, holding placards with slogans such as "Stop extortion on fish" and "No extortion on gas cylinders." As a symbolic act of defiance, demonstrators blocked a section of the Patenga Outer Ring Road for approximately one hour, using fish, ice blocks, and gas cylinders as props.

Mohammad Yusuf Uddin, general secretary of the Rani Rashmoni Ghat Fish Traders' Association, alleged that two individuals have seized fish shipments to coerce traders into paying fees related to fish, ice, water, and other services at the landing station. The protesters announced their intention to submit a memorandum to the city corporation outlining their grievances.

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The city corporation had not leased out the ghat to anyone.

However, CCC Mayor Shahadat Hossain asserted that the city corporation has not leased out the ghat to anyone. He confirmed that while two local groups recently sought a lease, their requests were denied. The mayor stated the ghat is currently operating without any official lease agreement and that the CCC is unaware of any extortion activities occurring there.

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We did not lease out the ghat for the collection of levies.