Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
Foreigners, especially the Russians working at Rooppur Nuclear, are moving everywhere without permission through illegal unlicensed private cars, though company cars are available for them to travel to markets or anywhere. There is a rule to take prior permission from the authorities for traveling outside Ishwardi, many foreigners do not follow it. The Russian citizens are traveling through illegal unlicensed taxis under the nose of the law enforcement agencies. Even though it is dangerous to travel for the foreigners, the authority concerned are not even looking at it. Private cars of different models are lined up on the side of the road in front of Green City, the residence of RNPP. As there is no specific stand, illegal stands have been made by parking on the side of the road.
When the Russian citizens living in Green City come out, the illegal drivers are calling for transport by signaling as ‘friend taxi’. Unlicensed taxis are speeding along roads and highways to take Russian citizens to their destinations as soon as they get into the car. Despite the ban, Russian citizens are dangerously plying taxis illegally on various remote routes like Pabna, Rajshahi and Dhaka without taking permission. There is a ban on the movement of Russian citizens. Because apart from the security issues of foreigners, there occur various accidents.
Meanwhile, when the police car stopped in front of Green City, some drivers ran away with their cars and got stuck. Many people are standing and picking up angry passengers in front of the police. As soon as a few drivers came and spoke to the police, the police left. When the police left, the work of passenger transport resumed. In this way, these illegal vehicles are driving Russian citizens in Ishwardi.
Green City has been built in Newhat area to accommodate the workers of Rooppur nuclear power plant, the country’s mega project. Although there are restrictions on the movement of Russian citizens in foreign vehicles, there are more than 50 illegal taxis operating on the roads and highways in front of the Green City. These vehicles do not have valid documents, skilled drivers or driving licenses. Many people don’t know what fitness is. There is no permission to run under the name of taxi.
Though there are instructions to halt and check the illegal vehicles carrying foreign nationals, no action is taken. Rather, these vehicles are running freely on monthly contracts. It is alleged that law and order personnel who are assigned to look after these cars collect bribe from these vehicles regularly.
On condition of anonymity, the drivers candidly admitted that parking is prohibited here. They still manage to park cars for transporting Russians. Sometimes the police come and make a little trouble. Car keys are taken away. ‘Manage’ allows the car to run again.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ishwardi Police Station Rafiqul Islam said that the issue of illegal traffic in Russian civilian transport by ‘managing’ is not correct. If the vehicles running in front of the Green City in Russian Civil Transport are illegal then we will take measures to stop the movement soon.
An RNPP official related to Green City said on condition of anonymity that Russians have been discouraged from traveling alone. There is a rule to inform the police if they are traveling alone. It is the responsibility of the administration to take care of these. Vehicles running in front of Green City are completely prohibited. These vehicles are not allowed to transport Russian citizens. In the law and order meeting of the upazila, we have informed the administration people to stop the movement of these vehicles.
Russians roaming outside Ishwardi defying rule
