Sylhet passport seekers face severe hardships for middlemen

The Sylhet divisional passport office is plagued by severe staff shortages inside and rampant activities of middlemen outside. These combined issues have made the process of obtaining a passport a distressing ordeal for the general public.

Visitors to the office in Alampur, Sylhet, report that once middlemen used the names of ruling party leaders (Awami League) for influence; now they exploit the names of opposition BNP leaders. Despite government efforts, the harassment continues and is reportedly worsening, with authorities showing little concern.

A visit to the office revealed that agents of these middlemen loiter around the office entrance, targeting passport applicants. Nearby, various computer shops collaborate with them. The middlemen intercept applicants as soon as they step out of their vehicles, inquiring about their purpose and luring them to these shops by instilling fear of long bureaucratic processes.

Once at the shops, the middlemen assure applicants that they will handle everything—from filling out forms to police verification and fingerprinting—without any hassle. They also promise to manage any missing documents.

Many applicants, especially those from rural areas, agree out of fear of complications and harassment. This gives the middlemen the opportunity to charge exorbitant fees.

Applicants complain that agents start targeting them as soon as they collect forms at photocopy shops. For fees ranging from Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000, they promise hassle-free passport delivery, including police verification. The fee varies depending on how quickly the passport is needed—the faster the service, the higher the cost.

Faisal Amin, a resident of Alampur, said, "I was told that if I submit proper documents, I would receive my passport without any trouble. However, after applying, I faced numerous challenges. Despite the streamlined process, I still had to rely on influential figures or resort to middlemen."

He added, "Previously, the system operated under the names of Awami League leaders; now it's BNP leaders. Many travel agencies and consultancy firms in areas like Ambarkhana, Zindabazar, Bandarbazar, Surma Market, and Taltola exploit this situation. They charge hefty amounts for passport services, even for applicants without proper documentation."

He also mentioned, "These agencies primarily target students. They not only provide passports but also assist with university admissions in Europe."

Rumana Begum from Chowkidekhi shared her ordeal, "I applied for a passport through a travel agency, but I faced a lot of harassment. I submitted my application and fingerprints a month ago, but they incorrectly marked me as 'married' on the passport. I’ve been going back and forth to the office, even submitting a police report for a correction, but I still haven’t received my passport."

She questioned, "When will the common people be free from such harassment?"

Sajal Biswas from Supatek village, Golapganj, stated, "I paid an agency for my passport application and fingerprinting. Despite that, I faced numerous hurdles. Even after the due date, I have yet to receive my passport."

Sajjad Hossain from Jallarpar said, "After filling out the form and paying the bank fees, the middlemen caught me when I tried to submit my documents. They offered a 'super express' service, demanding Tk 50,000, and reduced it to Tk 30,000 when I refused. This group targets people who want their passports urgently."

The passport office also suffers from a severe staff shortage. While the office receives around 2,000 service seekers daily, only 12 operators are available instead of the required 50. Similarly, there are only two officers instead of eight, one staff member at the visa center instead of seven, two delivery staff instead of eight, and three support staff instead of eight.

Abdullah Al Mamun, Director of the Divisional Passport and Visa Office, stated, "The situation is not as bad as before. Passports are processed smoothly now. However, some groups are exploiting applicants. Service seekers must be more cautious. If anyone complains about these groups, law enforcement will take action. Any staff involved in such activities will face disciplinary measures."

Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Rezaul Karim assured that there is no scope for delays or irregularities in police verification. He said, "If the documents are in order, the verification report is issued within three days. However, any complaints will be addressed seriously."

District Commissioner Mahbub Morad acknowledged the presence of middlemen around the passport office. He remarked, "Although middlemen controlled everything in the past, the situation is different now. Mobile courts are regularly operating against them, and these efforts will continue."

He added, "The government has made it possible to apply for passports online and pay fees from home. Service seekers must also be more aware."