Workers block roads, besiege police station

Transport workers in Dinajpur yesterday blockaded several roads and besieged Kotwali Police Station, demanding the release of a leader of the district transport workers’ union.

A team of DB police arrested Sheikh Badsha, joint general secretary of Dinajpur District Motor Transport Workers’ Union and a former leader of Sramik League, on Wednesday.

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Police said he is an accused in a case filed with Kotwali Police Station on January 21, 2025, in connection with the July uprising.

From 7:00am, workers blocked the four major entry points to the town -- Government College intersection, Maharaja intersection, Phulbari Bus Stand, and Balubadanga intersection -- by placing buses, trucks, and other vehicles across the roads.

Several buses were parked in front of the main gate of Kotwali Police Station, obstructing the entrance. More than 400 workers gathered in and around the station premises and vowed to continue their protest until Badsha was released.

The protesters claimed that Badsha was arrested to prevent him from contesting the upcoming triennial election of the union, scheduled for September 19.

At the protest, Badsha’s wife alleged that when she went to the police station Wednesday night, some of her husband’s rivals and BNP activists assaulted and harassed her.

Contacted, Kotwali Police Station OC Mohammad Nurnabi said, “Two groups of workers have taken opposing positions over Badsha’s arrest, and there have already been incidents of chasing and counter-chasing.”

The OC said workers lifted the blockade and ended the siege of the police station around 6:00pm.