Transport strike cripples southwest region

Khulna/Bagerhat, Jul 2 (bdnews24.com) -- Passengers in five southwestern districts continued to face severe trouble as a strike by the transport workers entered the second day on Monday.

The workers began the strike on Sunday demanding a ban on battery-run three-wheelers and other unauthorised vehicles on highways.

Bagerhat Intercity Bus-Minibus Owners Association General Secretary Khan Monir Hossain said eight associations of transporters in Khulna and Bagerhat called the strike for an indefinite period.

No buses left the five districts- Khulna, Bagerhat, Barisal, Jhalakati and Pirojpur –since Monday morning.

Deputy Inspector General of Police in Khulna, Mesbahuddin Ahmed, has invited the transport owners to discuss the issue.

Bagerhat Intercity Motor Workers Union Vice-President Masum Molla told bdnews24.com that the number of bus passengers dropped significantly due to three-wheelers like Nasiman-Kariman, but the authorities did not take any step despite their protests.

Transporters of the other three districts and Satkhira joined the strike later.

Transport owners and workers of Satkhira called off the strike following a discussion with the local administration on Sunday evening.

"The Khulna DIG has called us for discussion. We'll raise our demands in the meeting," Monir said.