Buses go off Dhaka- Pabna highway protesting extortion

Dhaka-Pabna bus services through Sirajganj district remained stopped from yesterday as transport workers and owners stopped plying of the vehicles protesting rampant extortion on the highway.

The suspension of traffic movement will go on until the harassment by extortionists stops, said transport workers.

Firoz Khan, president of Pabna Transport Workers' Association, said the transport workers are often harassed by the extortionists in Sirajganj on the highway.

 A gang of extortionists beat up a staff of a Dhaka-bound coach at Shahjadpur bus stand in Sirajganj seven days ago.

Protesting the attack, the agitating transport workers halted Dhaka-Pabna bus service through Sirajganj.

Bus services on Dhaka-Pabna highway remained snapped from yesterday morning, protesting continuous harassment by the extortionists in Shahjadpur upazila of Sirajganj, said Baby Islam, president of Pabna Transport Owners' Association.

The sudden suspension of the bus services on Dhaka-Pabna highway is causing immense suffering to thousands of passengers.

Around 100 coaches ply the highway, carrying three to five thousand passengers everyday.