Transport strike in Rangpur
Passengers suffer as bus links with Dhaka, 7 dists remain snapped
Buses lie idle at Rangpur bus terminal as transport workers enforce an indefinite strike yesterday to press for wage hike. Photo: STAR
Bus services between Dhaka and seven northern districts came to a halt yesterday morning as transport workers of Rangpur enforced an indefinite strike demanding increased wages. Hundreds of Dhaka-bound buses from Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Thakurgaon, Panchgarh, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat districts got stranded at different points of Rangpur, causing immense sufferings to the passengers. The buses that left Dhaka for the northern districts on Saturday night also got stuck at modern point of the district. Secretary of Rangpur Motor Sramik (workers) Union Abdul Mojid said they had earlier urged the owners to increase wages of the drivers and conductors of the buses that run on Rangpur-Dhaka routes, but to no effect. "We have enforced the strike as our seven days' ultimatum expired on Saturday. The strike will continue until the demand for wage hike is met," Mojid said. Secretary of Rangpur Bus Owners Association Moshiur Rahman Ranga said they have nothing to do with the matter as most of the owners of these buses are from Dhaka. Ranga, however, termed the strike 'unjustified' and asked them to withdraw it immediately. Rangpur deputy commissioner held a meeting with the leaders of transport worker yeaterday noon. But the meeting failed to yield positive results.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments